Evaluation of ZnO(Ga) coatings as alpha particle transducers within a neutron generator

J. Charles Cooper; David S. Koltick; John T. Mihalczo; John S. Neal

doi:10.1016/S0168-9002(03)01132-X

Evaluation of ZnO(Ga) coatings as alpha particle transducers within a neutron generator

J. Charles Cooper, David S. Koltick, John T. Mihalczo, John S. Neal

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neutrons generated by the deuterium-tritium reaction (²D+³T→n+α) are correlated to the alpha particle by energy and momentum conservation to lie along trajectories 180° with respect to one another. An associated particle neutron generator uses this spatial correlation to infer the neutron trajectory by detecting the alpha particle. This technique can be used to suppress backgrounds and in building three-dimensional images using the return excitation γ-ray energy due to the neutron interactions. The critical-performance component of the system is the alpha detection element, which is embedded within the neutron generator accelerator head. This element must be highly efficient, capable of nanosecond timing, and robust under the temperature changes encountered during manufacture. ZnO(Ga) scintillator coatings of differing thicknesses, with and without Ni overcoatings, were evaluated for this purpose, when excited by alpha particles between 3.2 and 5.4 MeV. Average light output of up to 61 photoelectrons per event was measured.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	498-501
Number of pages	4
Journal	Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Volume	505
Issue number	1-2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-9002(03)01132-X
State	Published - Jun 1 2003
Event	Proceedings of the tenth Symposium on Radiation - Ann Arbor, MI, United States Duration: May 21 2002 → May 23 2002

Funding

This work was supported by NSWC Crane, Crane, Indiana and the Center for Sensing Science and Technology, Purdue University, Contract Number N00164-00-C-0047, and by the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Funders	Funder number
Center for Sensing Science and Technology, Purdue University	N00164-00-C-0047
Naval Surface Warfare Center

Keywords

Alpha detection
Neutron activation
Zinc oxide

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10.1016/S0168-9002(03)01132-X

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title = "Evaluation of ZnO(Ga) coatings as alpha particle transducers within a neutron generator",

abstract = "Neutrons generated by the deuterium-tritium reaction (2D+3T→n+α) are correlated to the alpha particle by energy and momentum conservation to lie along trajectories 180° with respect to one another. An associated particle neutron generator uses this spatial correlation to infer the neutron trajectory by detecting the alpha particle. This technique can be used to suppress backgrounds and in building three-dimensional images using the return excitation γ-ray energy due to the neutron interactions. The critical-performance component of the system is the alpha detection element, which is embedded within the neutron generator accelerator head. This element must be highly efficient, capable of nanosecond timing, and robust under the temperature changes encountered during manufacture. ZnO(Ga) scintillator coatings of differing thicknesses, with and without Ni overcoatings, were evaluated for this purpose, when excited by alpha particles between 3.2 and 5.4 MeV. Average light output of up to 61 photoelectrons per event was measured.",

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Evaluation of ZnO(Ga) coatings as alpha particle transducers within a neutron generator. / Charles Cooper, J.; Koltick, David S.; Mihalczo, John T. et al.
In: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 505, No. 1-2, 01.06.2003, p. 498-501.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Evaluation of ZnO(Ga) coatings as alpha particle transducers within a neutron generator

AU - Charles Cooper, J.

AU - Koltick, David S.

AU - Mihalczo, John T.

AU - Neal, John S.

PY - 2003/6/1

Y1 - 2003/6/1

N2 - Neutrons generated by the deuterium-tritium reaction (2D+3T→n+α) are correlated to the alpha particle by energy and momentum conservation to lie along trajectories 180° with respect to one another. An associated particle neutron generator uses this spatial correlation to infer the neutron trajectory by detecting the alpha particle. This technique can be used to suppress backgrounds and in building three-dimensional images using the return excitation γ-ray energy due to the neutron interactions. The critical-performance component of the system is the alpha detection element, which is embedded within the neutron generator accelerator head. This element must be highly efficient, capable of nanosecond timing, and robust under the temperature changes encountered during manufacture. ZnO(Ga) scintillator coatings of differing thicknesses, with and without Ni overcoatings, were evaluated for this purpose, when excited by alpha particles between 3.2 and 5.4 MeV. Average light output of up to 61 photoelectrons per event was measured.

AB - Neutrons generated by the deuterium-tritium reaction (2D+3T→n+α) are correlated to the alpha particle by energy and momentum conservation to lie along trajectories 180° with respect to one another. An associated particle neutron generator uses this spatial correlation to infer the neutron trajectory by detecting the alpha particle. This technique can be used to suppress backgrounds and in building three-dimensional images using the return excitation γ-ray energy due to the neutron interactions. The critical-performance component of the system is the alpha detection element, which is embedded within the neutron generator accelerator head. This element must be highly efficient, capable of nanosecond timing, and robust under the temperature changes encountered during manufacture. ZnO(Ga) scintillator coatings of differing thicknesses, with and without Ni overcoatings, were evaluated for this purpose, when excited by alpha particles between 3.2 and 5.4 MeV. Average light output of up to 61 photoelectrons per event was measured.

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M3 - Conference article

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ER -

Evaluation of ZnO(Ga) coatings as alpha particle transducers within a neutron generator

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