A multilayer surface detector for ultracold neutrons

Zhehui Wang, M. A. Hoffbauer, C. L. Morris, N. B. Callahan, E. R. Adamek, J. D. Bacon, M. Blatnik, A. E. Brandt, L. J. Broussard, S. M. Clayton, C. Cude-Woods, S. Currie, E. B. Dees, X. Ding, J. Gao, F. E. Gray, K. P. Hickerson, A. T. Holley, T. M. Ito, C. Y. LiuM. Makela, J. C. Ramsey, R. W. Pattie, D. J. Salvat, A. Saunders, D. W. Schmidt, R. K. Schulze, S. J. Seestrom, E. I. Sharapov, A. Sprow, Z. Tang, W. Wei, J. Wexler, T. L. Womack, A. R. Young, B. A. Zeck

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

A multilayer surface detector for ultracold neutrons (UCNs) is described. The top 10B layer is exposed to vacuum and directly captures UCNs. The ZnS:Ag layer beneath the 10B layer is a few microns thick, which is sufficient to detect the charged particles from the 10B(n,α)7Li neutron-capture reaction, while thin enough that ample light due to α and 7Li escapes for detection by photomultiplier tubes. A 100-nm thick 10B layer gives high UCN detection efficiency, as determined by the mean UCN kinetic energy, detector materials, and other parameters. Low background, including negligible sensitivity to ambient neutrons, has also been verified through pulse-shape analysis and comparison with other existing 3He and 10B detectors. This type of detector has been configured in different ways for UCN flux monitoring, development of UCN guides and neutron lifetime research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)30-35
Number of pages6
JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Volume798
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 31 2015
Externally publishedYes

Funding

This work was funded by the LDRD program of Los Alamos National Laboratory .

Keywords

  • <sup>10</sup>B nanometer thin film
  • Low background
  • Multilayer surface detector
  • Neutron detection efficiency
  • Ultracold neutrons

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