A double-helix neutron detector using micron-size 10 B powder

• DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2014.07.056
• Publication Date: 2014-08-08T09:16:36Z
• Authors: Zhehui Wang; C.L. Morris; J.D. Bacon; M.I. Brockwell; J.C. Ramsey
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors; 0302 clinical medicine; FOS: Physical sciences; Instrumentation and Detectors (physics.ins-det); 7. Clean energy

A double-helix electrode configuration is combined with a $^{10}$B powder coating technique to build large-area (9 in $\times$ 36 in) neutron detectors. The neutron detection efficiency for each of the four prototypes is comparable to a single 2-bar $^3$He drift tube of the same length (36 in). One unit has been operational continuously for 18 months and the change of efficiency is less than 1%. An analytic model for pulse heigh spectra is described and the predicted mean film thickness agrees with the experiment to within 30%. Further detector optimization is possible through film texture, power size, moderator box and gas. The estimated production cost per unit is less than 3k US\$ and the technology is thus suitable for deployment in large numbers.