Comparison of neutron sensitive scintillators for use with a solid-state optical detector

Sharmistha Mukhopadhyay; Christopher Stapels; Eric B. Johnson; Eric C. Chapman; Paul S. Linsay; Thomas H. Prettyman; Michael R. Squillante; James F. Christian

doi:10.1117/12.830150

12 September 2009 Comparison of neutron sensitive scintillators for use with a solid-state optical detector

Sharmistha Mukhopadhyay, Christopher Stapels, Eric B. Johnson, Eric C. Chapman, Paul S. Linsay, Thomas H. Prettyman, Michael R. Squillante, James F. Christian

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7449, Hard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Neutron Detector Physics XI; 74491P (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.830150
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The detection of illicit nuclear sources and SNM requires an ubiquitous network of sensors. While ³He proportional counters are excellent neutron detectors, there is an insufficient global supply of ³He to create the required number of detectors. Alternatives to ³He must be efficient, insensitive to gamma radiation, easily manufactured, rugged, and inexpensive to enable the procurement of a large numbers of sensors. The use of a high sensitivity solid-state optical detector coupled to scintillation materials, loaded with a neutron absorber such as ⁶Li or ¹⁰B, can fulfill these design constraints. In this work, we compare the properties of neutron-sensitive scintillation materials utilizing Monte Carlo simulations and experiments. Cs2LiLaBr6:Ce is compared to commercially available boron-loaded plastic scintillators and ³He tubes. The scintillators are compared for neutron detection efficiency, limitations on size, gamma-rejection ratio, neutron detection limits, manufacturing cost, and availability for mass-production.

Citation Download Citation

Sharmistha Mukhopadhyay, Christopher Stapels, Eric B. Johnson, Eric C. Chapman, Paul S. Linsay, Thomas H. Prettyman, Michael R. Squillante, and James F. Christian "Comparison of neutron sensitive scintillators for use with a solid-state optical detector", Proc. SPIE 7449, Hard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Neutron Detector Physics XI, 74491P (12 September 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.830150

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