Thin-Film-Coated
Detectors for Neutron Detection
Douglas
S. McGregor
SMART Laboratory, University of Michigan
July 26, 2001
Abstract:
Semiconductor diode detectors coated with neutron reactive material are presently
under investigation for various uses, such as remote sensing of thermal neutrons,
fast neutron counting, and thermal neutron radiography. Several designs offer
thermal neutron detection efficiencies ranging from 4% to 25% for devices
less than one mm thick. Radiation endurance measurements indicate that the
devices function well up to a limiting thermal neutron fluence of 10^13/cm^2,
beyond which noticeable degradation occurs. Theoretical considerations on
design properties and experimental measurements will be shown. Some discussion
on future design possibilities will be presented.