Optical detection of neutrons with silicon photomultipliers (Conference Presentation)

Michael A. Coplan; Joshua Graybill; Robert Haun; Larry Lutz; Lester Putnam; Chandra Shahi; Jao Jang Su; Alan K. Thompson; Charles W. Clark

doi:10.1117/12.2556243

27 April 2020 Optical detection of neutrons with silicon photomultipliers (Conference Presentation)

Michael A. Coplan, Joshua Graybill, Robert Haun, Larry Lutz, Lester Putnam, Chandra Shahi, Jao Jang Su, Alan K. Thompson, Charles W. Clark

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11386, Advanced Photon Counting Techniques XIV; 113860H (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2556243
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

Beyond its obvious use for radiation monitoring, low-energy (thermal) neutron detection finds applications in road paving, hydrocarbon prospecting, hydrology, agronomy and planetary exploration.All known techniques are based on amplification of exothermic neutron absorption reactions with particular isotopes, especially helium-3. We have invented compact, low-voltage/power detectors based on optical scintillation of noble gases induced by energetic fragments of neutron absorption by boron-10. The primary scintillations occur in the ultraviolet (UV) and far-UV spectral regions, and wavelength-shifting materials are used to transform them into light that can be detected by silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). SiPMs' light footprint facilitates cellular networks of diverse compact directors for momentum and energy resolution of neutron fields. We have built a thumb-size submersible detector and used it for in-situ neutron dosimetry in a water phantom at a proton therapy facility.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Michael A. Coplan, Joshua Graybill, Robert Haun, Larry Lutz, Lester Putnam, Chandra Shahi, Jao Jang Su, Alan K. Thompson, and Charles W. Clark "Optical detection of neutrons with silicon photomultipliers (Conference Presentation)", Proc. SPIE 11386, Advanced Photon Counting Techniques XIV, 113860H (27 April 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2556243

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