Improved low power, modular thermal neutron counter based on microstructured semiconductor neutron detectors (MSND)

Ryan G. Fronk, Steven L. Bellinger, Luke C. Henson, David E. Huddleston, Taylor R. Ochs, Timothy J. Sobering, Douglas S. McGregor

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

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

AmoAyAzr , mass-producible, low-power, compact thermal-neutron counter has been developed to meet the needs for modern detector instruments and to compete with aging 3He-based counter systems. The Domino V5.4 neutron detector package is populated with four 1-cm2 active-area microstructured semiconductor neutron detectors (MSNDs). The detectors are calibrated to an intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency of 30% over its 4 cm2 active area. A gamma-ray rejection ratio of at least 1:108 is achieved at this calibration level. Total device dimensions measure 2.5-cm wide by 3.8-cm tall and 0.47-cm thick, weighing 9.5 g. Individual Dominoes can be tiled together into strings and then arrayed laterally to form large-area instruments. In this form, the small sensor can populate instruments up to 1 m2, with a cost that is comparable to a similar 3He-based array. The addition of I2C-based bias and threshold controllers reduces sensor cost and complexity over the previously-reported Domino versions (V3.0 and V4.0) and allows for user-end calibrations and modifications. Furthermore, the Domino has realized lOx reduced power consumption over previous versions, to nearly 90uW at 3.3 volts, while also reducing sensitivity to thermal- and capacitance-induced noise from the MSNDs, making the Domino an ideal candidate for 3He replacement and implementation in low-power, portable neutron-detector instruments.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2016 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Medical Imaging Conference and Room-Temperature Semiconductor Detector Workshop, NSS/MIC/RTSD 2016
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781509016426
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 16 2017
Event2016 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Medical Imaging Conference and Room-Temperature Semiconductor Detector Workshop, NSS/MIC/RTSD 2016 - Strasbourg, France
Duration: Oct 29 2016Nov 6 2016

Publication series

Name2016 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Medical Imaging Conference and Room-Temperature Semiconductor Detector Workshop, NSS/MIC/RTSD 2016
Volume2017-January

Conference

Conference2016 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Medical Imaging Conference and Room-Temperature Semiconductor Detector Workshop, NSS/MIC/RTSD 2016
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityStrasbourg
Period10/29/1611/6/16

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