On a neutron detector based on TlInSe2 crystals intercalated with a lithium isotope

• Published in: Semiconductors (Woodbury, N.Y.) Vol. 51; no. 6; pp. 740 - 744
• Main Authors: Alekseev, I. V., Goremychkin, E. A., Gundorin, N. A., Petrenko, A. V., Sashin, I. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Moscow Pleiades Publishing 01-06-2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Chains; Crystals; Diffusion; Eutectic temperature; Intercalation; Lithium; Magnetic Materials; Magnetism; Mathematical analysis; Neutrons; Nonelectronic Properties of Semiconductors (Atomic Structure; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Propylene; Sensitivity; Sensors
• DOI: 10.1134/S1063782617060021
• EISSN: 1090-6479
• ISSN: 1063-7826

The possibility of increasing the sensitivity of a neutron detector based on a TlInSe
2
crystal by introducing the
6
Li isotope into this crystal is investigated. Introduction of the isotope is conducted by the method of electrochemical intercalation from aqueous and nonaqueous solutions of LiCl and also from the melt of the LiCl–KCl eutectic. It is shown that intercalation by the electrochemical method from a LiCl solution in propylene carbonate, performed along the “c” axis of the crystal (along strong bond chains) is efficient. The attained concentration of introduced lithium amounts to (1–1.2) × 10
21
cm
–3
, which increased the sensitivity of the detector by approximately four times. Good agreement between the calculated and experimental values of the detector sensitivity is demonstrated.