Next-generation neutron detection using a 6Li glass scintillator composite
Abstract Neutron detectors are crucial in fundamental science, nuclear security, safeguards, and civil applications. 3He-filled gas proportional counters are the gold standard for thermal neutron detection, prized for their efficiency, neutron/gamma discrimination, and stability; however, the scarci...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Communications Physics |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-024-01903-3 |
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| author | Andrea Favalli Brenden W. Wiggins Metodi Iliev Cameron G. Richards Kristofer Ogren Thomas D. McLean Kiril D. Ianakiev Markus P. Hehlen |
| author_facet | Andrea Favalli Brenden W. Wiggins Metodi Iliev Cameron G. Richards Kristofer Ogren Thomas D. McLean Kiril D. Ianakiev Markus P. Hehlen |
| author_sort | Andrea Favalli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Neutron detectors are crucial in fundamental science, nuclear security, safeguards, and civil applications. 3He-filled gas proportional counters are the gold standard for thermal neutron detection, prized for their efficiency, neutron/gamma discrimination, and stability; however, the scarcity of 3He has prompted the search for alternatives. Here, we introduce a neutron detector design based on a scintillating composite consisting of 6Li glass scintillator particles dispersed in an organic matrix. A detector consisting of this scintillating composite, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) for optical detection, and electronics for reading out the PMT signal in both pulse and current modes was prototyped and characterized using various neutron and gamma sources. The prototype achieves a measured intrinsic detection efficiency of 6.70 ± 0.01%, a die-away time of 10.3 ± 0.1 μs, a negligible gamma misidentification probability, and response linearity up to at least 3.7 × 106 incident neutrons/s established via a cross-calibration technique. This detector holds the potential to outperform traditional 3He-gas-based neutron detection systems, offering a viable alternative amidst the ongoing 3He shortage and promising advancements in neutron detection technology. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cf0c333b1a9241b0ad0ff816c15ba01e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2399-3650 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Physics |
| spelling | doaj-art-cf0c333b1a9241b0ad0ff816c15ba01e2025-01-05T12:32:45ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Physics2399-36502025-01-018111010.1038/s42005-024-01903-3Next-generation neutron detection using a 6Li glass scintillator compositeAndrea Favalli0Brenden W. Wiggins1Metodi Iliev2Cameron G. Richards3Kristofer Ogren4Thomas D. McLean5Kiril D. Ianakiev6Markus P. Hehlen7Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los AlamosLos Alamos National Laboratory, Los AlamosLos Alamos National Laboratory, Los AlamosLos Alamos National Laboratory, Los AlamosLos Alamos National Laboratory, Los AlamosLos Alamos National Laboratory, Los AlamosLos Alamos National Laboratory, Los AlamosLos Alamos National Laboratory, Los AlamosAbstract Neutron detectors are crucial in fundamental science, nuclear security, safeguards, and civil applications. 3He-filled gas proportional counters are the gold standard for thermal neutron detection, prized for their efficiency, neutron/gamma discrimination, and stability; however, the scarcity of 3He has prompted the search for alternatives. Here, we introduce a neutron detector design based on a scintillating composite consisting of 6Li glass scintillator particles dispersed in an organic matrix. A detector consisting of this scintillating composite, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) for optical detection, and electronics for reading out the PMT signal in both pulse and current modes was prototyped and characterized using various neutron and gamma sources. The prototype achieves a measured intrinsic detection efficiency of 6.70 ± 0.01%, a die-away time of 10.3 ± 0.1 μs, a negligible gamma misidentification probability, and response linearity up to at least 3.7 × 106 incident neutrons/s established via a cross-calibration technique. This detector holds the potential to outperform traditional 3He-gas-based neutron detection systems, offering a viable alternative amidst the ongoing 3He shortage and promising advancements in neutron detection technology.https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-024-01903-3 |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Favalli Brenden W. Wiggins Metodi Iliev Cameron G. Richards Kristofer Ogren Thomas D. McLean Kiril D. Ianakiev Markus P. Hehlen Next-generation neutron detection using a 6Li glass scintillator composite Communications Physics |
| title | Next-generation neutron detection using a 6Li glass scintillator composite |
| title_full | Next-generation neutron detection using a 6Li glass scintillator composite |
| title_fullStr | Next-generation neutron detection using a 6Li glass scintillator composite |
| title_full_unstemmed | Next-generation neutron detection using a 6Li glass scintillator composite |
| title_short | Next-generation neutron detection using a 6Li glass scintillator composite |
| title_sort | next generation neutron detection using a 6li glass scintillator composite |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-024-01903-3 |
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