A double-helix neutron detector using micron-size 10B powder

Zhehui Wang; C. L. Morris; J. D. Bacon; M. I. Brockwell; J. C. Ramsey

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2014.07.056

A double-helix neutron detector using micron-size ¹⁰B powder

Zhehui Wang
, C. L. Morris
, J. D. Bacon
, M. I. Brockwell
, J. C. Ramsey

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	261-267
Number of pages	7
Journal	Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Volume	764
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2014.07.056
State	Published - Nov 11 2014
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Detector lifetime
Double-helix electrode configuration
Neutron detection efficiency

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10.1016/j.nima.2014.07.056

Cite this

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title = "A double-helix neutron detector using micron-size 10B powder",

abstract = "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.",

keywords = "Detector lifetime, Double-helix electrode configuration, Neutron detection efficiency",

author = "Zhehui Wang and Morris, \{C. L.\} and Bacon, \{J. D.\} and Brockwell, \{M. I.\} and Ramsey, \{J. C.\}",

year = "2014",

month = nov,

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doi = "10.1016/j.nima.2014.07.056",

language = "English",

volume = "764",

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journal = "Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment",

issn = "0168-9002",

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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 - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84906548472

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 -

A double-helix neutron detector using micron-size ¹⁰B powder

Abstract

Keywords

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