High Data-Rate Neutron-Sensitive Pixelated Detector Using Silicon Photomultiplier

Su Ann Chong, Richard Riedel, Theodore Visscher, Cornelius Dohanue, Bruce Hannan, Christopher Montcalm, Jason Hayward

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We report on the design and performance of a neutron-sensitive pixelated detector using an array of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) sensors. The proof-of-concept design consists of an 8 × 8 array of SiPM sensors coupled with an 8 × 8 array of 6Li-enriched glass scintillator (GS20) cubes. Each scintillator cube, of size 2 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm, is placed directly over each element in the sensor array. Each sensor is read out and processed using a simple comparator for pulse height discrimination. Individual counts are then recorded using a Xilinx ZYNQ-based system on chip. Tests performed at the Double-Axis Diffractometer (2X-C) and the High-Resolution Neutron Powder Diffractometer (PSD) beamlines at Missouri University Research Reactor (MURR) show a linear response of individual sensor element up to 100 kHz over an area of 0.2 cm × 0.2 cm, which is equivalent to 2.5 MHz/cm2. The detector efficiency at a neutron wavelength of 4.1 A was measured to be 74.6% relative to the detection efficiency of a 1-inch diameter 10-atm 3He gas detector. The pixel crosstalk was estimated to be less than 3%. The gamma sensitivity was measured to be 1 × 10-3 using calibrated 60Co gamma source at the optimal discriminator setting of the detector.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2019 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS/MIC 2019
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781728141640
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2019
Externally publishedYes
Event2019 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS/MIC 2019 - Manchester, United Kingdom
Duration: Oct 26 2019Nov 2 2019

Publication series

Name2019 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS/MIC 2019

Conference

Conference2019 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, NSS/MIC 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityManchester
Period10/26/1911/2/19

Funding

Manuscript received December 13, 2019. This work was supported in part by the Scientific User Facilities Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy.

Keywords

  • FPGA
  • Li
  • high count rate
  • neutron detector
  • neutron reflectometry
  • pixelated detector
  • silicon photomultiplier

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