TY - JOUR
T1 - A double-helix neutron detector using micron-size 10B powder
AU - Wang, Zhehui
AU - Morris, C. L.
AU - Bacon, J. D.
AU - Brockwell, M. I.
AU - Ramsey, J. C.
PY - 2014/11/11
Y1 - 2014/11/11
N2 - A double-helix electrode configuration is combined with a 10B powder coating technique to build large-area (9 in.×36 in., or about 23 cm by 91 cm) neutron detectors. The neutron detection efficiency for each of the four prototypes is comparable to 3.7×103 cm3 of 3He inside a cylindrical tube 91 cm long. One unit has been operational continuously for 18 months and the change of efficiency is less than 1%. An analytic model for pulse height spectra is described and the predicted mean film thicknesses agree with the experiment to within 30%. Further detector optimization is possible through film texture, powder size, moderator box and gas. The estimated production cost per unit is less than 3k US$ and the technology is thus suitable for deployment in large numbers.
AB - A double-helix electrode configuration is combined with a 10B powder coating technique to build large-area (9 in.×36 in., or about 23 cm by 91 cm) neutron detectors. The neutron detection efficiency for each of the four prototypes is comparable to 3.7×103 cm3 of 3He inside a cylindrical tube 91 cm long. One unit has been operational continuously for 18 months and the change of efficiency is less than 1%. An analytic model for pulse height spectra is described and the predicted mean film thicknesses agree with the experiment to within 30%. Further detector optimization is possible through film texture, powder size, moderator box and gas. The estimated production cost per unit is less than 3k US$ and the technology is thus suitable for deployment in large numbers.
KW - Detector lifetime
KW - Double-helix electrode configuration
KW - Neutron detection efficiency
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84906548472&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.nima.2014.07.056
DO - 10.1016/j.nima.2014.07.056
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84906548472
SN - 0168-9002
VL - 764
SP - 261
EP - 267
JO - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
JF - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
ER -