https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2014-14212-2
Regular Article
Scintillator and solid-state neutron detectors and their applications
1
INFN, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, Viale dell’Università 2, 35020, Legnaro, Italy
2
Dipartimento di Fisica ed Astronomia, Università di Padova, Via Marzolo 8, 35127, Padova, Italy
3
INFN, Sezione di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146, Genova, Italy
4
INFN, Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, Via S.Sofia 62, 95125, Catania, Italy
* e-mail: Sara.Carturan@lnl.infn.it
Received:
7
August
2014
Accepted:
8
August
2014
Published online:
7
October
2014
The application range of neutron detectors covers many topics, not only involving experimental research, but spanning tens of industrial, health, transport, cultural heritage fields of interest. Several studies focus on new scintillating materials where the light response, under fast and slow neutrons exposure, is triggered by proton recoil or by the presence of neutron capture materials as 10B, 6Li or 157Gd. Neutron monitors, where the robustness of silicon-based detectors can be fully exploited by coupling with suitable neutron absorber/converter materials, have recently proved their outstanding performances. Discrimination between neutron signals from other radiations, such as - or cosmic rays, is achieved through timing techniques or with pulse shape analysis. Furthermore, the choice of the detection/discrimination techniques depends on the type of application the detector will be used for. An example is Radiation Portal Monitors (RPM) for cargo inspection or luggage control that are required to satisfy specific international standards for
and neutron detection efficiencies. This paper is an overview of some of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) activities in the field of neutron detection, involving novel technologies. We will describe the most recent advances related to scintillators and silicon-based detectors coupled with thin films of suitable converters for neutron detection and we will discuss applications in the field of nuclear security.
© Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2014