Thin-film neutron detector based on CdTe and 6Li layers

We report an innovative, low-cost, solid-state neutron detector based on the technology of thin-film CdTe solar cells activated with layers of isotopically enriched metallic Li-6. The technology leverages recent advances in thin-film solar-module manufacturing and lithium sources for electrochromic...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment Vol. 954; p. 161127
Main Authors:	Compaan, Alvin, Cauffiel, Ford B., Matthews, Anthony J., Cheng, Song, Shan, Ambalanath, Fisher, Robert D., Plotnikov, Victor V., Becker, Ralph
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier B.V 21-02-2020
Subjects:	CdTe Detector Li-6 Neutron Radiation Thin-film Li-6 Detector Thin-film Neutron CdTe Radiation
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	We report an innovative, low-cost, solid-state neutron detector based on the technology of thin-film CdTe solar cells activated with layers of isotopically enriched metallic Li-6. The technology leverages recent advances in thin-film solar-module manufacturing and lithium sources for electrochromic window fabrication. Our detector inherently has very high rejection of gamma events and strong directional sensitivity; it is readily scalable in size from personal radiation monitors to radiation portal monitors. The thermal neutron response of a double detector stack is competitive with and/or exceeds responses reported for other portable detectors such as a small He-3 tube, a CLYC-based scintillator, or a microstructured semiconductor detector.
ISSN:	0168-9002 1872-9576
DOI:	10.1016/j.nima.2018.08.086