Position sensitive detection of neutrons in high radiation background field

AbstraktAbstract

We present the development of a high-resolution position sensitive device for detection of slow neutrons in the environment of extremely high γ and e− radiation background. We make use of a planar silicon pixelated (pixel size: 55 × 55 μm2) spectroscopic Timepix detector adapted for neutron detection utilizing very thin 10B converter placed onto detector surface. We demonstrate that electromagnetic radiation background can be discriminated from the neutron signal utilizing the fact that each particle type produces characteristic ionization tracks in the pixelated detector. Particular tracks can be distinguished by their 2D shape (in the detector plane) and spectroscopic response using single event analysis. A Cd sheet served as thermal neutron stopper as well as intensive source of gamma rays and energetic electrons. Highly efficient discrimination was successful even at very low neutron to electromagnetic background ratio about 10−4.

We present the development of a high-resolution position sensitive device for detection of slow neutrons in the environment of extremely high γ and e− radiation background. We make use of a planar silicon pixelated (pixel size: 55 × 55 μm2) spectroscopic Timepix detector adapted for neutron detection utilizing very thin 10B converter placed onto detector surface. We demonstrate that electromagnetic radiation background can be discriminated from the neutron signal utilizing the fact that each particle type produces characteristic ionization tracks in the pixelated detector. Particular tracks can be distinguished by their 2D shape (in the detector plane) and spectroscopic response using single event analysis. A Cd sheet served as thermal neutron stopper as well as intensive source of gamma rays and energetic electrons. Highly efficient discrimination was successful even at very low neutron to electromagnetic background ratio about 10−4.