Advanced Multilayer Composite Heavy-Oxide Scintillator Detectors for High Efficiency Fast Neutron Detection

Institute for Scintillation Materials (ISMA) of theNational Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 61001 Kharkov, Ukraine ryzhikov@isma.kharkov.ua
Institute for Single Crystals (ISC) of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 61001 Kharkov, Ukraine
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 1400 Vienna, Austria tpochet@detecrad.com
Institute for Scintillation Materials of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kharkov, Ukraine
Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, USA craigfsmith@yahoo.com

^* email: sergei.naydenov@gmail.com

Published online: 10 January 2018

Abstract

We have developed and evaluated a new approach to fast neutron and neutron-gamma detection based on large-area multilayer composite heterogeneous detection media consisting of dispersed granules of small-crystalline scintillators contained in a transparent organic (plastic) matrix. Layers of the composite material are alternated with layers of transparent plastic scintillator material serving as light guides. The resulting detection medium – designated as ZEBRA – serves as both an active neutron converter and a detection scintillator which is designed to detect both neutrons and gamma-quanta. The composite layers of the ZEBRA detector consist of small heavy-oxide scintillators in the form of granules of crystalline BGO, GSO, ZWO, PWO and other materials. We have produced and tested the ZEBRA detector of sizes 100x100x41 mm and greater, and determined that they have very high efficiency of fast neutron detection (up to 49% or greater), comparable to that which can be achieved by large sized heavy-oxide single crystals of about Ø40x80 cm³ volume. We have also studied the sensitivity variation to fast neutron detection by using different types of multilayer ZEBRA detectors of 100 cm² surface area and 41 mm thickness (with a detector weight of about 1 kg) and found it to be comparable to the sensitivity of a ³He-detector representing a total cross-section of about 2000 cm² (with a weight of detector, including its plastic moderator, of about 120 kg). The measured count rate in response to a fast neutron source of ²⁵²Cf at 2 m for the ZEBRA-GSO detector of size 100x100x41 mm³ was 2.84 cps/ng, and this count rate can be doubled by increasing the detector height (and area) up to 200x100 mm². In summary, the ZEBRA detectors represent a new type of high efficiency and low cost solid-state neutron detector that can be used for stationary neutron/gamma portals. They may represent an interesting alternative to expensive, bulky gas counters based on ³He or ¹⁰B neutron detection technologies.