Thermal neutron scintillators using unenriched boron nitride and zinc sulfide

Applications of Novel Scintillators for Research and Industry

物理学;工业技术

McMillan, J.E.^1 ; Cole, A.J.^1 ; Kirby, A.^1 ; Marsden, E.^2,3

Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, South-Yorkshire-Sheffield

S3 7RH, United Kingdom^1

Tata Steel, Swinden Technology Centre, Moorgate-South-Yorkshire-Rotherham

S60 3AR, United Kingdom^2

Kromek Ltd, Netpark Thomas Wright Way, Sedgefield, Durham

TS21 3FD, United Kingdom^3

关键词: Helium-3;    Low costs;    Neutron capture;    Nitride powders;    Thermal neutron detectors;    Thermal neutrons;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/620/1/012011/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1742-6596/620/1/012011

学科分类：工业工程学

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

Thermal neutron detectors based on powdered zinc sulfide intimately mixed with a neutron capture compound have a history as long as scintillation technique itself. We show that using unenriched boron nitride powder, rather than the more commonly used enriched lithium fluoride, results in detection screens which produce less light but which are very considerably cheaper. Methods of fabricating large areas of this material are presented. The screens are intended for the production of large area low cost neutron detectors as a replacement for helium-3 proportional tubes.