1. Novel n-type Mg2B14 on silicon diode: Demonstration of a thermal solid state neutron detector
- Author
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Bakalova, Silvia, Speller, Robert, Lacey, Richard J., Frost, Christopher, and Kuball, Martin
- Subjects
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SILICON diodes , *NEUTRON counters , *LASER ablation , *SOLID state physics , *PARTICLES (Nuclear physics) , *LIQUID nitrogen - Abstract
Abstract: A solid state heterojunction diode based on a micrometer thick n-Mg2B14 on p-type Si substrates, deposited by laser ablation, was demonstrated as thermal neutron detector. The neutron signal from a thermal neutron source with 105 ns−1 cm−2 from a spallation beam and moderated Cf-252 source producing 5 thermal n/s was registered at reverse bias of 20V and 10μs shaping time, with the diode detector cooled to temperature ranging to liquid nitrogen boiling point to reduce thermally induced leakage currents. The results were consistent with simulated neutron capture efficiencies considering material imperfections. Simulations also showed detector performance and enhancement of the efficiency with increasing boride thickness and using enriched boron. For a 10μm enriched in B-10 Mg2B14 detector, efficiencies in excess of 30% may be possible, with a high gamma–neutron discrimination level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2013
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