Numerical Simulations of Pillar Structured Solid State Thermal Neutron Detector: Efficiency and Gamma Discrimination

Conway, A. M.; Wang, T.F.; Deo, N.; Cheung, Chin Li; Nikolić, Rebecca J.

doi:10.1109/tns.2009.2021474

Cited by 38 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…From these plots we can discern the way α-particle energy loss is distributed between the 10 B matrix and Si. Figure 2a (L = 2d) is similar to the configuration studied in previous work (Nikolić, 2005;2007;Conway, 2009). This plot shows that only a small amount of the α-particle energy is deposited in the Si while the vast majority of the α-particle energy is deposited in the 10 B matrix.…”

Section: Modeling Resultssupporting

confidence: 75%

“…This type of structure has been extensively studied by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and others (Nikolić, 2005;2007;Conway, 2009). Our research took a different approach by using a point source simplification allowing us to separate out the geometrical effects on the energy resolution and study the proportion of a particle's energy loss between the 10 B and Si.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nevada Test Site-Directed Research and Development, FY 2008 Annual Report

Bender¹

2009

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Section: Modeling Resultssupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nevada Test Site-Directed Research and Development, FY 2008 Annual Report

Bender¹

2009

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“…The thermal neutron detection efficiencies with varied pillar heights are obtained from Ref. [7]. In general, the discrimination is in the range of 2 x 10 5 to 8 x 10 5 for gamma energies of interest.…”

Section: Pillar Heightmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The detector under development is based on high aspect ratio P-I-N diodes filled with 10 B, the neutron conversion material [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Thermal neutrons have a low probability of interacting with conventional semiconductor materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The pillar pitch is defined lithographically to allow the highest possible interaction of the energetic ions with the semiconductor pillars. When the 3D pillar detector is scaled to 50 µm, high efficiency (> 50 %) and high neutron-togamma discrimination (> 10 5 ) is predicted [4][5][6][7][8]. In this work, the effects of intrinsic layer thickness, pillar height, substrate doping as well as incident gamma energy on gamma discrimination are investigated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gamma discrimination in pillar structured thermal neutron detectors

et al. 2012

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Solid-state thermal neutron detectors are desired to replace 3 He tube based technology for the detection of special nuclear materials.3 He tubes have some issues with stability, sensitivity to microphonics and very recently, a shortage of 3 He. There are numerous solid-state approaches being investigated that utilize various architectures and material combinations. By using the combination of high-aspect-ratio silicon PIN pillars, which are 2 µm wide with a 2 µm separation, arranged in a square matrix, and surrounded by 10 B, the neutron converter material, a high efficiency thermal neutron detector is possible. Besides intrinsic neutron detection efficiency, neutron to gamma discrimination is an important figure of merit for unambiguous signal identification. In this work, theoretical calculations and experimental measurements are conducted to determine the effect of structure design of pillar structured thermal neutron detectors including: intrinsic layer thickness, pillar height, substrate doping and incident gamma energy on neutron to gamma discrimination.

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New Configuration of Solid‐State Neutron Detector Made Possible with Solution‐Based Semiconductor Processing

Zhou

Coates

Hernandez‐Sosa

et al. 2012

Adv Funct Materials

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The unique benefit of solution‐based fabrication of solid‐state p‐n junctions is demonstrated for radiation detection. In particular, an in situ inorganic semiconductor synthesis and film deposition facilitates a novel neutron detector configuration consisting of a host inorganic semiconductor matrix impregnated with a guest neutron sensitizing material. Spectroscopic investigations of the structural order of the top detector active layer indicate that it consists of interpenetrating networks of the host semiconductor nanocrystals and sensitizing guest material that self‐assemble during film formation. The host semiconductor network exhibits a good charge transport as evidenced by steady‐state photoconductivity measurements. The detectors developed indicate high sensitivity to ionizing radiation and a demonstrated ability to detecting thermal neutrons.

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Numerical Simulations of Pillar Structured Solid State Thermal Neutron Detector: Efficiency and Gamma Discrimination

Cited by 38 publications

References 16 publications

Nevada Test Site-Directed Research and Development, FY 2008 Annual Report

Nevada Test Site-Directed Research and Development, FY 2008 Annual Report

Gamma discrimination in pillar structured thermal neutron detectors

New Configuration of Solid‐State Neutron Detector Made Possible with Solution‐Based Semiconductor Processing

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