The in-core self-powered neutron detector(SPND)acts as a key measuring device for the monitoring of parameters and evaluation of the operating conditions of nuclear reactors.Prompt detection and tolerance of faulty SP...The in-core self-powered neutron detector(SPND)acts as a key measuring device for the monitoring of parameters and evaluation of the operating conditions of nuclear reactors.Prompt detection and tolerance of faulty SPNDs are indispensable for reliable reactor management.To completely extract the correlated state information of SPNDs,we constructed a twin model based on a generalized regression neural network(GRNN)that represents the common relationships among overall signals.Faulty SPNDs were determined because of the functional concordance of the twin model and real monitoring sys-tems,which calculated the error probability distribution between the model outputs and real values.Fault detection follows a tolerance phase to reinforce the stability of the twin model in the case of massive failures.A weighted K-nearest neighbor model was employed to reasonably reconstruct the values of the faulty signals and guarantee data purity.The experimental evaluation of the proposed method showed promising results,with excellent output consistency and high detection accuracy for both single-and multiple-point faulty SPNDs.For unexpected excessive failures,the proposed tolerance approach can efficiently repair fault behaviors and enhance the prediction performance of the twin model.展开更多
Chinese Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS) has successfully produced its first neutron beam in 28th August 2017. It has been running steadily from March, 2018. According to the construction plan, the engineering material...Chinese Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS) has successfully produced its first neutron beam in 28th August 2017. It has been running steadily from March, 2018. According to the construction plan, the engineering materials diffractometer(EMD) will be installed between 2019–2023. This instrument requires the neutron detectors with the cover area near3 m2in two 90° neutron diffraction angle positions, the neutron detecting efficiency is better than 40%@1A, and the spatial resolution is better than 4 mm×200 mm in horizontal and vertical directions respectively. We have developed a onedimensional position-sensitive neutron detector based on the oblique6Li F/Zn S(Ag) scintillators, wavelength shifting fibers,and Si PMs(silicon photomultipliers) readout. The inhomogeneity of the neutron detection efficiency between each pixel and each detector module, which caused by the inconsistency of the wave-length shifting fibers in collecting scintillation photons, needs to be mitigated before the installation. A performance optimization experiment of the detector modules was carried out on the BL20(beam line 20) of CSNS. Using water sample, the neutron beam with Φ5 mm exit hole was dispersed related evenly into the forward space. According to the neutron counts of each pixel of the detector module, the readout electronics threshold of each pixel is adjusted. Compared with the unadjusted detector module, the inhomogeneity of the detection efficiency for the adjusted one has been improved from 69% to 90%. The test result of the diffraction peak of the standard sample Si showed that the adjusted detector module works well.展开更多
A single-crystal diamond detector is fabricated to diagnose 14.1 MeV deuterium-tritium(D-T)fusion neutrons.The size of its diamond film is 4.5 mm×4.5 mm×500μm.This film is sandwiched by a flat,strip-pattern...A single-crystal diamond detector is fabricated to diagnose 14.1 MeV deuterium-tritium(D-T)fusion neutrons.The size of its diamond film is 4.5 mm×4.5 mm×500μm.This film is sandwiched by a flat,strip-patterned gold electrode.The dark current of this detector is experimentally measured to be lower than 0.1 nA under an electric field of 30 kV cm^(-1).This diamond detector is used to measure D-T fusion neutrons with a flux of about 7.5×10^(5) s^(-1)cm^(-2).The pronounced peak with a central energy of 8.28 MeV characterizing the^(12)C(n,α)~9Be reaction in the neutron energy spectrum is experimentally diagnosed,and the energy resolution is better than 1.69%,which is the best result reported so far using a diamond detector.A clear peak with a central energy of 6.52 MeV characterizing the^(12)C(n,n')3αreaction is also identified with an energy resolution of better than 7.67%.展开更多
The energy-resolved neutron imaging spectrometer(ERNI)will be installed in 2022 according to the spectrometer construction plan of the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS).The instrument requires neutron detectors wi...The energy-resolved neutron imaging spectrometer(ERNI)will be installed in 2022 according to the spectrometer construction plan of the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS).The instrument requires neutron detectors with the coverage area of approximately 4 m^(2)in 5°-170°neutron diffraction angle.The neutron detection efficiency needs to be better than 40%at 1 A neutron wavelength.The spatial resolution should be better than 3 mm×50 mm in the horizontal and vertical directions respectively.We develop a one-dimensional scintillator neutron detector which is composed of the^(6)Li F/Zn S(Ag)scintillation screens,the wavelength-shifting fiber(WLSF)array,the silicon photomultipliers(Si PMs),and the self-designed application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC)readout electronics.The pixel size of the detector is designed as 3 mm×50 mm,and the neutron-sensitive area is 50 mm×200 mm.The performance of the detector prototype is measured using neutron beam 20#of the CSNS.The maximum counting rate of 247 k Hz,and the detection efficiency of63%at 1.59 A are obtained.The test results show that the performance of the detector fulfills the physical requirements of the ERNI under construction at the CSNS.展开更多
A low-background neutron detector array was developed to measure the cross section of the ^(13)C(a,n)^(16)O reaction,which is the neutron source for the s-process in AGB stars,in the Gamow window(E_(c.m.)=190±40 ...A low-background neutron detector array was developed to measure the cross section of the ^(13)C(a,n)^(16)O reaction,which is the neutron source for the s-process in AGB stars,in the Gamow window(E_(c.m.)=190±40 keV)at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory(CJPL).The detector array consists of 24^(3)He proportional counters embedded in a polyethylene cube.Owing to the deep underground location and a borated polyethylene shield around the detector array,a low background of 4.5(2)/h was achieved.The ^(51)V(p,n)^(51)Cr reaction was used to determine the neutron detection efficiency of the array for neutrons with energies E_(n)<1 MeV.Geant4 simulations are shown to effectively reproduce the experimental results.They were used to extrapolate the detection efficiency to higher energies for neutrons emitted in the ^(13)C(α,n)^(16)O reaction.The theoretical angular distributions of the ^(13)C(α,n)^(16)O reaction were shown to be important in the estimation of the uncertainties of the detection efficiency.展开更多
The fission electron-collection neutron detector (FECND) is a current-type neutron detector. Based on the analysis of the generation process of the gamma signals of the FECND, a mechanism utilizing symmetrical struc...The fission electron-collection neutron detector (FECND) is a current-type neutron detector. Based on the analysis of the generation process of the gamma signals of the FECND, a mechanism utilizing symmetrical structure is proposed and discussed to suppress the gamma signals. According to this mechanism, tile electrons generated from the gamma rays can be well compensated for by the adjustment of the electrodes' thickness and distance. In this study, based on the Monte-Carlo simulation of the gamma signals of the FECND, the varying patterns are obtained between the gamma signals and the detector parameter settings. As indicated by the simulation results, the gamma electrons can be compensated for completely by simply adjusting the coated electrode substrate thickness and distance. Moreover, with a proposed optimal parameter setting, the gamma sensitivity can be as low as 3.39×10-23 C.cm2, while the signal-to-noise ratio can be higher than 200:1. The compensation results of the γ-rays in the FECND will be slightly affected by the manufacturing error or the assembly error.展开更多
The DArk Matter Particle Explorer(DAMPE),one of the four space-based scientific missions within the framework of the Strategic Pioneer Program on Space Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,was successfully launc...The DArk Matter Particle Explorer(DAMPE),one of the four space-based scientific missions within the framework of the Strategic Pioneer Program on Space Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,was successfully launched on 2015 Dec.17 from Jiuquan launch center.One of the most important scientific goals of DAMPE is to search for evidence of dark matter indirectly by measuring the spectrum of high energy cosmic-ray electrons.The neutron detector,one of the four sub-payloads of DAMPE,is designed to distinguish high energy electrons from hadron background by measuring the secondary neutrons produced in the shower.In this paper,a comprehensive introduction of the neutron detector is presented,including the design,calibration and performance.The analysis with simulated data and flight data indicates a powerful proton rejection capability of the neutron detector,which plays an essential role for TeV electron identification of DAMPE.展开更多
In recent years,gas electron multiplier(GEM)neutron detectors have been developing towards high spatial resolution and high dynamic counting range.We propose a novel concept of an Al stopping layer to enable the detec...In recent years,gas electron multiplier(GEM)neutron detectors have been developing towards high spatial resolution and high dynamic counting range.We propose a novel concept of an Al stopping layer to enable the detector to achieve sub-millimeter(sub-mm)spatial resolution.The neutron conversion layer is coated with the Al stopping layer to limit the emission angle of ions into the drift region.The short track projection of ions is obtained on the signal readout board,and the detector would get good spatial resolution.The spatial resolutions of the GEM neutron detector with the Al stopping layer are simulated and optimized based on Geant4 Garfield Interface.The spatial resolution of the detector is 0.76 mm and the thermal neutron detection efficiency is about 0.01%when the Al stopping layer is 3.0μm thick,the drift region is 2 mm thick,the strip pitch is 600μm,and the digital readout is employed.Thus,the GEM neutron detector with a simple detector structure and a fast readout mode is developed to obtain a high spatial resolution and high dynamic counting range.It could be used for the direct measurement of a high-flux neutron beam,such as Bragg transmission imaging,very small-angle scattering neutron detection and neutron beam diagnostic.展开更多
A detector for fast neutrons based on a 10 × 10 cm^2 triple gas electron multiplier (GEM) device is developed and tested. A neutron converter, which is a high density polyethylene (HDPE) layer, is combined wi...A detector for fast neutrons based on a 10 × 10 cm^2 triple gas electron multiplier (GEM) device is developed and tested. A neutron converter, which is a high density polyethylene (HDPE) layer, is combined with the triple GEM detector cathode and placed inside the detector, in the path of the incident neutrons. The detector is tested by obtaining the energy deposition spectrum with an Am Be neutron source in the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) at Lanzhou. In the present work we report the results of the tests and compare them with those of simulations. The transport of fast neutrons and their interactions with the different materials in the detector are simulated with the GEANT4 code, to understand the experimental results. The detector displays a clear response to the incident fast neutrons. However, an unexpected disagreement in the energy dependence of the response between the simulated and measured spectra is observed. The neutron sources used in our simulation include deuterium-tritium (DT, 14 MeV), deuterium-deuterium (DD, 2.45 MeV), and Am Be sources. The simulation results also show that among the secondary particles generated by the incident neutron, the main contributions to the total energy deposition are from recoil protons induced in hydrogen-rich HDPE or Kapton (GEM material), and activation photons induced by neutron interaction with Ar atoms. Their contributions account for 90% of the total energy deposition. In addition, the dependence of neutron deposited energy spectrum on the composition of the gas mixture is presented.展开更多
Geant4 based Monte Carlo study has been carried out to assess the improvement in efficiency of the planar structure of Silicon Carbide(SiC)-based semiconductor fast neutron detector with the stacked structure. A proto...Geant4 based Monte Carlo study has been carried out to assess the improvement in efficiency of the planar structure of Silicon Carbide(SiC)-based semiconductor fast neutron detector with the stacked structure. A proton recoil detector was simulated, which consists of hydrogenous converter, i.e., high-density polyethylene(HDPE) for generating recoil protons by means of neutron elastic scattering(n, p) reaction and semiconductor material SiC, for generating a detectable electrical signal upon transport of recoil protons through it. SiC is considered in order to overcome the various factors associated with conventional Si-based devices such as operability in a harsh radiation environment, as often encountered in nuclear facilities. Converter layer thickness is optimized by considering 10~9 neutron events of different monoenergetic neutron sources as well as ^(241)Am-Be neutron spectrum. It is found that the optimized thickness for neutron energy range of 1–10 MeV is ~400 μm. However, the efficiency of fast neutron detection is estimated to be only 0.112%,which is considered very low for meaningful and reliable detection of neutrons. To overcome this problem, a stacked juxtaposition of converter layer between SiC layers has been analyzed in order to achieve high efficiency. It is noted that a tenfold efficiency improvement has been obtained—1.04% for 10 layers stacked configuration vis-à-vis 0.112% of single converter layer detector. Further simulation of the stacked detector with respect to variable converter thickness has been performed to achieve the efficiency as high as ~3.85% with up to 50 stacks.展开更多
Nowadays,the superior detection performance of semiconductor neutron detectors is a challenging task.In this paper,we deal with a novel GaN micro-structured neutron detector(GaN-MSND)and compare three different method...Nowadays,the superior detection performance of semiconductor neutron detectors is a challenging task.In this paper,we deal with a novel GaN micro-structured neutron detector(GaN-MSND)and compare three different methods such as the method of modulating the trench depth,the method of introducing dielectric layer and p-type inversion region to improve the width of depletion region(W).It is observed that the intensity of electric field can be modulated by scaling the trench depth.On the other hand,the electron blocking region is formed in the detector enveloped with a dielectric layer.Furthermore,the introducing of p-type inversion region produces new p/n junction,which not only promotes the further expansion of the depletion region but also reduces the intensity of electric field produced by main junction.It can be realized that all these methods can considerably enhance the working voltage as well as W.Of them,the improvement on W of GaN-MSND with the p-type inversion region is the most significant and the value of W could reach 12.8μm when the carrier concentration of p-type inversion region is 10^17 cm^-3.Consequently,the value of W is observed to improve 200%for the designed GaN-MSND as compared with that without additional design.This work ensures to the researchers and scientific community the fabrication of GaN-MSND having superior detection limit in the field of intense radiation.展开更多
We develop a kind of neutron detector, which consists of a polyethylene thin film and two PIN semicon- ductors connected face-to-face. The detector is insensitive to γ-rays. Its sensitivity to neutron has been calcul...We develop a kind of neutron detector, which consists of a polyethylene thin film and two PIN semicon- ductors connected face-to-face. The detector is insensitive to γ-rays. Its sensitivity to neutron has been calculated with MCNP program and calibrated by experiments, and the results indicate that the neutron sensitivity of the compensa- tion detector will vary with polyethylene converter. The compensation PIN detector can be employed to measure pulse neutron in neutron and gamma mixture radiation field.展开更多
Semiconductor-based neutron-detectors are characterized by small size, high energy-resolution, good spatial resolution, and stable response(at the depletion voltage). Consequently, these neutron-detectors are importan...Semiconductor-based neutron-detectors are characterized by small size, high energy-resolution, good spatial resolution, and stable response(at the depletion voltage). Consequently, these neutron-detectors are important for the fields of nuclear proliferation prevention, oil exploration, monitoring neutron-scattering experiments, cancer treatments, and space radiation effect research. However, there are some well-known problems for conventional silicon-based neutron detectors: low neutron-detection efficiency and limited resistance to radiation. Therefore, critical improvements are needed to enable sufficiently effective and practical neutron detection. To address these problems, direct-conversion neutron detectors as well as wide bandgap semiconductor-based detectors have been developed and studied intensely during the past years. Significant progress with respect to detection efficiency, radiation resistance, and room temperature operation was achieved. This paper reviews the latest research highlights, remaining challenges, and emerging technologies of direct-conversion neutron detectors as well as wide-bandgap semiconductor neutron detectors. This compact review serves as a reference for researchers interested in the design and development of improved neutron detectors in the future.展开更多
As a non-destructive testing technology,neutron imaging plays an important role in various fields,including material science,nuclear engineering,and fundamental science.An imaging detector with a neutron-sensitive ima...As a non-destructive testing technology,neutron imaging plays an important role in various fields,including material science,nuclear engineering,and fundamental science.An imaging detector with a neutron-sensitive image intensifier has been developed and demonstrated to achieve good spatial resolution and timing resolution.However,the influence of the working voltage on the performance of the neutron-sensitive imaging intensifier has not been studied.To optimize the performance of the neutron-sensitive image intensifier at different voltages,experiments have been performed at the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS)neutron beamline.The change in the light yield and imaging quality with different voltages has been acquired.It is shown that the image quality benefits from the high gain of the microchannel plate(MCP)and the high accelerating electric field between the MCP and the screen.Increasing the accelerating electric field is more effective than increasing the gain of MCPs for the improvement of the imaging quality.Increasing the total gain of the MCP stack can be realized more effectively by improving the gain of the standard MCP than that of the n MCP.These results offer a development direction for image intensifiers in the future.展开更多
In this paper a two dimensional readout micromegas detector with a polyethylene foil as converter was simulated on GEANT4 toolkit and GARFIELD for fast neutron detection. A new track reconstruction method based on tim...In this paper a two dimensional readout micromegas detector with a polyethylene foil as converter was simulated on GEANT4 toolkit and GARFIELD for fast neutron detection. A new track reconstruction method based on time coincidence technology was developed in the simulation to obtain the incident neutron position. The results showed that with this reconstruction method higher spatial resolution was achieved.展开更多
China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), one project of the 12th Five-Year-Plan scheme of China, is under construction in Guangdong province. Three neutron spectrometers will he installed during the first phase of th...China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), one project of the 12th Five-Year-Plan scheme of China, is under construction in Guangdong province. Three neutron spectrometers will he installed during the first phase of the project, and two-dimensional position sensitive thermal neutron detectors are required. Before the construction of the neutron detectors, a prototype of a two-dimensional 200 mm^200 mm Multi-wire Proportional Chamber (MWPC) with Ar/CO2 (90/10) flowing gas has been constructed. In 2009, the prototype was tested with the 55Fe X-ray using part of the electronics, and performed well. Following the test in 2009, the neutron detector was constructed with the complete electronics and filled with the 6 atm. 3He^2.5 atm. C3Hs gas mixture in 2010. The neutron detector has been primarily tested with an Am-Be source. In this paper, new developments of the neutron detector including the design of the high pressure chamber, the optimization of the gas purifying system and the gas filling process will be reported. The results and discussion are also presented in this paper.展开更多
A high-efficiency fast neutron detector prototype based on a triple Gas Electron Multiplier(GEM) detector, which, coupled with a novel multi-layered high-density polyethylene(HDPE) as a neutron-to-proton converter...A high-efficiency fast neutron detector prototype based on a triple Gas Electron Multiplier(GEM) detector, which, coupled with a novel multi-layered high-density polyethylene(HDPE) as a neutron-to-proton converter for improving the neutron detection efficiency, is introduced and tested with the Am-Be neutron source in the Institute of Modern Physics(IMP) at Lanzhou in the present work. First, the developed triple GEM detector is tested by measuring its effective gain and energy resolution with55 Fe X-ray source to ensure that it has a good performance.The effective gain and obtained energy resolution is 5.0×104and around 19.2%, respectively. Secondly, the novel multi-layered HDPE converter is coupled with the cathode of the triple GEM detector making it a high-efficiency fast neutron detector. Its effective neutron response is four times higher than that of the traditional single-layered conversion technique when the converter layer number is 38.展开更多
A new thermal neutron detector with a domestically produced THGEM (Thick Gas Electron Multiplier) was developed as an alternative to 3He to meet the needs of the next generation of neutron facilities. One type of Au...A new thermal neutron detector with a domestically produced THGEM (Thick Gas Electron Multiplier) was developed as an alternative to 3He to meet the needs of the next generation of neutron facilities. One type of Au-coated THGEM was designed specifically for neutron detection. A detector prototype has been developed and the preliminary experimental tests are presented, including the performance of the Au-coated THGEM working in At/CO2 gas mixtures and the neutron imaging test with 252 Cf source, which can provide the reference for experimental data for research in the future.展开更多
The investigation of a novel thermal neutron detector is developed to fulfill the requirements of the high intensity power diffractometer (HIPD) at the Chinese Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). It consists of two ...The investigation of a novel thermal neutron detector is developed to fulfill the requirements of the high intensity power diffractometer (HIPD) at the Chinese Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). It consists of two layers of 6LiF/ZnS(Ag) scintillators, two layers of crossed WLSF arrays, several multi-anode photo multiplier tubes (MA-PMT), and the matching readout electronics. The neutron detection efficiency of the scintilltors, the light transportation ability of the WLSF, and the spatial linearity of the readout electronics are measured and discussed in this paper. It shows that the sandwich structure and the compact readout electronics could fulfill the needs of the HIPD. A prototype with a 10 cm×10 cm sensitive area has been constructed to further study the characteristics of the neutron scintillator detector.展开更多
Purpose Boron-lined gas detectors are prospective alternatives to helium-3-based neutron detectors.For boron-lined multiwire proportional chamber(MWPC)with neutron grazing incident angle geometry,high neutron detectio...Purpose Boron-lined gas detectors are prospective alternatives to helium-3-based neutron detectors.For boron-lined multiwire proportional chamber(MWPC)with neutron grazing incident angle geometry,high neutron detection efficiency and 3D position sensitive can be realized.In this paper,a multi-layer boron-lined MWPC was studied.Methods Influences of the boron coating thickness,coating layer numbers and neutron incident angle on the neutron detection efficiency were studied and optimized with Geant4 simulation.The output signal properties including induced signal width on the readout plane,the time resolution and gas gain uniformity of the detector were studied with Garfield program.Results and conclusion The results show that the neutron detection efficiency can be significantly increased by using neutron grazing incident geometry.For 4 layers of 10B4Cwith thickness of 1μm,the neutron detection efficiency can reach to 54.56%,49.17%and 44.36%when neutron incident angle is 6°,8°and 10°,respectively.For detector with curved geometry,the gas gain is nonuniform among the anode wires,and using separate high voltage for each anode wire or wires group can effectively reduce the nonuniform of the gas gain.The results of this work can be used to optimize the detector design.展开更多
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province,China(No.2022J01566).
文摘The in-core self-powered neutron detector(SPND)acts as a key measuring device for the monitoring of parameters and evaluation of the operating conditions of nuclear reactors.Prompt detection and tolerance of faulty SPNDs are indispensable for reliable reactor management.To completely extract the correlated state information of SPNDs,we constructed a twin model based on a generalized regression neural network(GRNN)that represents the common relationships among overall signals.Faulty SPNDs were determined because of the functional concordance of the twin model and real monitoring sys-tems,which calculated the error probability distribution between the model outputs and real values.Fault detection follows a tolerance phase to reinforce the stability of the twin model in the case of massive failures.A weighted K-nearest neighbor model was employed to reasonably reconstruct the values of the faulty signals and guarantee data purity.The experimental evaluation of the proposed method showed promising results,with excellent output consistency and high detection accuracy for both single-and multiple-point faulty SPNDs.For unexpected excessive failures,the proposed tolerance approach can efficiently repair fault behaviors and enhance the prediction performance of the twin model.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11975255 and 11875273)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (Grant No. 2020B1515120025)。
文摘Chinese Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS) has successfully produced its first neutron beam in 28th August 2017. It has been running steadily from March, 2018. According to the construction plan, the engineering materials diffractometer(EMD) will be installed between 2019–2023. This instrument requires the neutron detectors with the cover area near3 m2in two 90° neutron diffraction angle positions, the neutron detecting efficiency is better than 40%@1A, and the spatial resolution is better than 4 mm×200 mm in horizontal and vertical directions respectively. We have developed a onedimensional position-sensitive neutron detector based on the oblique6Li F/Zn S(Ag) scintillators, wavelength shifting fibers,and Si PMs(silicon photomultipliers) readout. The inhomogeneity of the neutron detection efficiency between each pixel and each detector module, which caused by the inconsistency of the wave-length shifting fibers in collecting scintillation photons, needs to be mitigated before the installation. A performance optimization experiment of the detector modules was carried out on the BL20(beam line 20) of CSNS. Using water sample, the neutron beam with Φ5 mm exit hole was dispersed related evenly into the forward space. According to the neutron counts of each pixel of the detector module, the readout electronics threshold of each pixel is adjusted. Compared with the unadjusted detector module, the inhomogeneity of the detection efficiency for the adjusted one has been improved from 69% to 90%. The test result of the diffraction peak of the standard sample Si showed that the adjusted detector module works well.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12075241)。
文摘A single-crystal diamond detector is fabricated to diagnose 14.1 MeV deuterium-tritium(D-T)fusion neutrons.The size of its diamond film is 4.5 mm×4.5 mm×500μm.This film is sandwiched by a flat,strip-patterned gold electrode.The dark current of this detector is experimentally measured to be lower than 0.1 nA under an electric field of 30 kV cm^(-1).This diamond detector is used to measure D-T fusion neutrons with a flux of about 7.5×10^(5) s^(-1)cm^(-2).The pronounced peak with a central energy of 8.28 MeV characterizing the^(12)C(n,α)~9Be reaction in the neutron energy spectrum is experimentally diagnosed,and the energy resolution is better than 1.69%,which is the best result reported so far using a diamond detector.A clear peak with a central energy of 6.52 MeV characterizing the^(12)C(n,n')3αreaction is also identified with an energy resolution of better than 7.67%.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11875273,U1832111,61964001,and 12275049)the Science Foundation of Guangdong Province of China(Grant No.2020B1515120025)+3 种基金the Neutron Physics Laboratory Funding of China Academy of Engineering Physics(Grant No.2018BC03)the General Project of Jiangxi Province Key Research and Development Program(Grant No.20212BBG73012)the Key Scientific Research Projects of Henan Higher Education Institutions(Grant Nos.23A490002 and 24A490001)the Engineering Research Center of Nuclear Technology Application(Grant No.HJSJYB2021-4)。
文摘The energy-resolved neutron imaging spectrometer(ERNI)will be installed in 2022 according to the spectrometer construction plan of the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS).The instrument requires neutron detectors with the coverage area of approximately 4 m^(2)in 5°-170°neutron diffraction angle.The neutron detection efficiency needs to be better than 40%at 1 A neutron wavelength.The spatial resolution should be better than 3 mm×50 mm in the horizontal and vertical directions respectively.We develop a one-dimensional scintillator neutron detector which is composed of the^(6)Li F/Zn S(Ag)scintillation screens,the wavelength-shifting fiber(WLSF)array,the silicon photomultipliers(Si PMs),and the self-designed application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC)readout electronics.The pixel size of the detector is designed as 3 mm×50 mm,and the neutron-sensitive area is 50 mm×200 mm.The performance of the detector prototype is measured using neutron beam 20#of the CSNS.The maximum counting rate of 247 k Hz,and the detection efficiency of63%at 1.59 A are obtained.The test results show that the performance of the detector fulfills the physical requirements of the ERNI under construction at the CSNS.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.11490564 and 11805138).
文摘A low-background neutron detector array was developed to measure the cross section of the ^(13)C(a,n)^(16)O reaction,which is the neutron source for the s-process in AGB stars,in the Gamow window(E_(c.m.)=190±40 keV)at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory(CJPL).The detector array consists of 24^(3)He proportional counters embedded in a polyethylene cube.Owing to the deep underground location and a borated polyethylene shield around the detector array,a low background of 4.5(2)/h was achieved.The ^(51)V(p,n)^(51)Cr reaction was used to determine the neutron detection efficiency of the array for neutrons with energies E_(n)<1 MeV.Geant4 simulations are shown to effectively reproduce the experimental results.They were used to extrapolate the detection efficiency to higher energies for neutrons emitted in the ^(13)C(α,n)^(16)O reaction.The theoretical angular distributions of the ^(13)C(α,n)^(16)O reaction were shown to be important in the estimation of the uncertainties of the detection efficiency.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No 11205141the Science and Technology Foundation of China Academy of Engineering Physics under Grant No 2012B0103003
文摘The fission electron-collection neutron detector (FECND) is a current-type neutron detector. Based on the analysis of the generation process of the gamma signals of the FECND, a mechanism utilizing symmetrical structure is proposed and discussed to suppress the gamma signals. According to this mechanism, tile electrons generated from the gamma rays can be well compensated for by the adjustment of the electrodes' thickness and distance. In this study, based on the Monte-Carlo simulation of the gamma signals of the FECND, the varying patterns are obtained between the gamma signals and the detector parameter settings. As indicated by the simulation results, the gamma electrons can be compensated for completely by simply adjusting the coated electrode substrate thickness and distance. Moreover, with a proposed optimal parameter setting, the gamma sensitivity can be as low as 3.39×10-23 C.cm2, while the signal-to-noise ratio can be higher than 200:1. The compensation results of the γ-rays in the FECND will be slightly affected by the manufacturing error or the assembly error.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2016YFA0400201)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.11622327,11273070,11673075,U1738205,U1738121,U1738207,U1531126,11873021,11773085 and 11873020)Space Science Mission Concept Research of Strategic Priority Research Program in Space Science of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA15007114)。
文摘The DArk Matter Particle Explorer(DAMPE),one of the four space-based scientific missions within the framework of the Strategic Pioneer Program on Space Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,was successfully launched on 2015 Dec.17 from Jiuquan launch center.One of the most important scientific goals of DAMPE is to search for evidence of dark matter indirectly by measuring the spectrum of high energy cosmic-ray electrons.The neutron detector,one of the four sub-payloads of DAMPE,is designed to distinguish high energy electrons from hadron background by measuring the secondary neutrons produced in the shower.In this paper,a comprehensive introduction of the neutron detector is presented,including the design,calibration and performance.The analysis with simulated data and flight data indicates a powerful proton rejection capability of the neutron detector,which plays an essential role for TeV electron identification of DAMPE.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2017YFA0403702)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11574123,11775243,12175254,and U2032166)+1 种基金Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS and Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(Grant No.2019A1515110217)the Xie Jialin Foundation,China(Grant No.E1546FU2)。
文摘In recent years,gas electron multiplier(GEM)neutron detectors have been developing towards high spatial resolution and high dynamic counting range.We propose a novel concept of an Al stopping layer to enable the detector to achieve sub-millimeter(sub-mm)spatial resolution.The neutron conversion layer is coated with the Al stopping layer to limit the emission angle of ions into the drift region.The short track projection of ions is obtained on the signal readout board,and the detector would get good spatial resolution.The spatial resolutions of the GEM neutron detector with the Al stopping layer are simulated and optimized based on Geant4 Garfield Interface.The spatial resolution of the detector is 0.76 mm and the thermal neutron detection efficiency is about 0.01%when the Al stopping layer is 3.0μm thick,the drift region is 2 mm thick,the strip pitch is 600μm,and the digital readout is employed.Thus,the GEM neutron detector with a simple detector structure and a fast readout mode is developed to obtain a high spatial resolution and high dynamic counting range.It could be used for the direct measurement of a high-flux neutron beam,such as Bragg transmission imaging,very small-angle scattering neutron detection and neutron beam diagnostic.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos 11135002,11305232 and 11175076the Foundation of China Spallation Neutron Source:Study and Development of the High-performance and Low-angle Detector
文摘A detector for fast neutrons based on a 10 × 10 cm^2 triple gas electron multiplier (GEM) device is developed and tested. A neutron converter, which is a high density polyethylene (HDPE) layer, is combined with the triple GEM detector cathode and placed inside the detector, in the path of the incident neutrons. The detector is tested by obtaining the energy deposition spectrum with an Am Be neutron source in the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) at Lanzhou. In the present work we report the results of the tests and compare them with those of simulations. The transport of fast neutrons and their interactions with the different materials in the detector are simulated with the GEANT4 code, to understand the experimental results. The detector displays a clear response to the incident fast neutrons. However, an unexpected disagreement in the energy dependence of the response between the simulated and measured spectra is observed. The neutron sources used in our simulation include deuterium-tritium (DT, 14 MeV), deuterium-deuterium (DD, 2.45 MeV), and Am Be sources. The simulation results also show that among the secondary particles generated by the incident neutron, the main contributions to the total energy deposition are from recoil protons induced in hydrogen-rich HDPE or Kapton (GEM material), and activation photons induced by neutron interaction with Ar atoms. Their contributions account for 90% of the total energy deposition. In addition, the dependence of neutron deposited energy spectrum on the composition of the gas mixture is presented.
基金supported by the grant of a research fellowship from Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research,Department of Atomic Energy,India
文摘Geant4 based Monte Carlo study has been carried out to assess the improvement in efficiency of the planar structure of Silicon Carbide(SiC)-based semiconductor fast neutron detector with the stacked structure. A proton recoil detector was simulated, which consists of hydrogenous converter, i.e., high-density polyethylene(HDPE) for generating recoil protons by means of neutron elastic scattering(n, p) reaction and semiconductor material SiC, for generating a detectable electrical signal upon transport of recoil protons through it. SiC is considered in order to overcome the various factors associated with conventional Si-based devices such as operability in a harsh radiation environment, as often encountered in nuclear facilities. Converter layer thickness is optimized by considering 10~9 neutron events of different monoenergetic neutron sources as well as ^(241)Am-Be neutron spectrum. It is found that the optimized thickness for neutron energy range of 1–10 MeV is ~400 μm. However, the efficiency of fast neutron detection is estimated to be only 0.112%,which is considered very low for meaningful and reliable detection of neutrons. To overcome this problem, a stacked juxtaposition of converter layer between SiC layers has been analyzed in order to achieve high efficiency. It is noted that a tenfold efficiency improvement has been obtained—1.04% for 10 layers stacked configuration vis-à-vis 0.112% of single converter layer detector. Further simulation of the stacked detector with respect to variable converter thickness has been performed to achieve the efficiency as high as ~3.85% with up to 50 stacks.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11675198,11875097,11975257,61774072,61574026,and 61971090)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant Nos.2016YFB0400600 and2016YFB0400601)+2 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China(Grant No.DUT19LK45)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2016M591434)the Science and Technology Plan of Dalian City,China(Grant No.2018J12GX060).
文摘Nowadays,the superior detection performance of semiconductor neutron detectors is a challenging task.In this paper,we deal with a novel GaN micro-structured neutron detector(GaN-MSND)and compare three different methods such as the method of modulating the trench depth,the method of introducing dielectric layer and p-type inversion region to improve the width of depletion region(W).It is observed that the intensity of electric field can be modulated by scaling the trench depth.On the other hand,the electron blocking region is formed in the detector enveloped with a dielectric layer.Furthermore,the introducing of p-type inversion region produces new p/n junction,which not only promotes the further expansion of the depletion region but also reduces the intensity of electric field produced by main junction.It can be realized that all these methods can considerably enhance the working voltage as well as W.Of them,the improvement on W of GaN-MSND with the p-type inversion region is the most significant and the value of W could reach 12.8μm when the carrier concentration of p-type inversion region is 10^17 cm^-3.Consequently,the value of W is observed to improve 200%for the designed GaN-MSND as compared with that without additional design.This work ensures to the researchers and scientific community the fabrication of GaN-MSND having superior detection limit in the field of intense radiation.
文摘We develop a kind of neutron detector, which consists of a polyethylene thin film and two PIN semicon- ductors connected face-to-face. The detector is insensitive to γ-rays. Its sensitivity to neutron has been calculated with MCNP program and calibrated by experiments, and the results indicate that the neutron sensitivity of the compensa- tion detector will vary with polyethylene converter. The compensation PIN detector can be employed to measure pulse neutron in neutron and gamma mixture radiation field.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11922507, and 12050005)Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (Grant No. 2021YFB3201000)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No.2021NTST14)。
文摘Semiconductor-based neutron-detectors are characterized by small size, high energy-resolution, good spatial resolution, and stable response(at the depletion voltage). Consequently, these neutron-detectors are important for the fields of nuclear proliferation prevention, oil exploration, monitoring neutron-scattering experiments, cancer treatments, and space radiation effect research. However, there are some well-known problems for conventional silicon-based neutron detectors: low neutron-detection efficiency and limited resistance to radiation. Therefore, critical improvements are needed to enable sufficiently effective and practical neutron detection. To address these problems, direct-conversion neutron detectors as well as wide bandgap semiconductor-based detectors have been developed and studied intensely during the past years. Significant progress with respect to detection efficiency, radiation resistance, and room temperature operation was achieved. This paper reviews the latest research highlights, remaining challenges, and emerging technologies of direct-conversion neutron detectors as well as wide-bandgap semiconductor neutron detectors. This compact review serves as a reference for researchers interested in the design and development of improved neutron detectors in the future.
基金Project supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant Nos.2023YFC2206502 and 2021YFA1600703)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.12175254 and 12227810)the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Joint Laboratory for Neutron Scattering Science and Technology。
文摘As a non-destructive testing technology,neutron imaging plays an important role in various fields,including material science,nuclear engineering,and fundamental science.An imaging detector with a neutron-sensitive image intensifier has been developed and demonstrated to achieve good spatial resolution and timing resolution.However,the influence of the working voltage on the performance of the neutron-sensitive imaging intensifier has not been studied.To optimize the performance of the neutron-sensitive image intensifier at different voltages,experiments have been performed at the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS)neutron beamline.The change in the light yield and imaging quality with different voltages has been acquired.It is shown that the image quality benefits from the high gain of the microchannel plate(MCP)and the high accelerating electric field between the MCP and the screen.Increasing the accelerating electric field is more effective than increasing the gain of MCPs for the improvement of the imaging quality.Increasing the total gain of the MCP stack can be realized more effectively by improving the gain of the standard MCP than that of the n MCP.These results offer a development direction for image intensifiers in the future.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (10575046,10775062)
文摘In this paper a two dimensional readout micromegas detector with a polyethylene foil as converter was simulated on GEANT4 toolkit and GARFIELD for fast neutron detection. A new track reconstruction method based on time coincidence technology was developed in the simulation to obtain the incident neutron position. The results showed that with this reconstruction method higher spatial resolution was achieved.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (11127508)
文摘China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), one project of the 12th Five-Year-Plan scheme of China, is under construction in Guangdong province. Three neutron spectrometers will he installed during the first phase of the project, and two-dimensional position sensitive thermal neutron detectors are required. Before the construction of the neutron detectors, a prototype of a two-dimensional 200 mm^200 mm Multi-wire Proportional Chamber (MWPC) with Ar/CO2 (90/10) flowing gas has been constructed. In 2009, the prototype was tested with the 55Fe X-ray using part of the electronics, and performed well. Following the test in 2009, the neutron detector was constructed with the complete electronics and filled with the 6 atm. 3He^2.5 atm. C3Hs gas mixture in 2010. The neutron detector has been primarily tested with an Am-Be source. In this paper, new developments of the neutron detector including the design of the high pressure chamber, the optimization of the gas purifying system and the gas filling process will be reported. The results and discussion are also presented in this paper.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(11135002,11305232,11175076)
文摘A high-efficiency fast neutron detector prototype based on a triple Gas Electron Multiplier(GEM) detector, which, coupled with a novel multi-layered high-density polyethylene(HDPE) as a neutron-to-proton converter for improving the neutron detection efficiency, is introduced and tested with the Am-Be neutron source in the Institute of Modern Physics(IMP) at Lanzhou in the present work. First, the developed triple GEM detector is tested by measuring its effective gain and energy resolution with55 Fe X-ray source to ensure that it has a good performance.The effective gain and obtained energy resolution is 5.0×104and around 19.2%, respectively. Secondly, the novel multi-layered HDPE converter is coupled with the cathode of the triple GEM detector making it a high-efficiency fast neutron detector. Its effective neutron response is four times higher than that of the traditional single-layered conversion technique when the converter layer number is 38.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(11127508,11175199)NPL,CAEP(2013DB06)State Key Laboratory of particle Detection and Electronics(H9294206TD)
文摘A new thermal neutron detector with a domestically produced THGEM (Thick Gas Electron Multiplier) was developed as an alternative to 3He to meet the needs of the next generation of neutron facilities. One type of Au-coated THGEM was designed specifically for neutron detection. A detector prototype has been developed and the preliminary experimental tests are presented, including the performance of the Au-coated THGEM working in At/CO2 gas mixtures and the neutron imaging test with 252 Cf source, which can provide the reference for experimental data for research in the future.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(11175257)Key Laboratory of Neutron Detection and Electronics of Dongguan Municipality
文摘The investigation of a novel thermal neutron detector is developed to fulfill the requirements of the high intensity power diffractometer (HIPD) at the Chinese Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). It consists of two layers of 6LiF/ZnS(Ag) scintillators, two layers of crossed WLSF arrays, several multi-anode photo multiplier tubes (MA-PMT), and the matching readout electronics. The neutron detection efficiency of the scintilltors, the light transportation ability of the WLSF, and the spatial linearity of the readout electronics are measured and discussed in this paper. It shows that the sandwich structure and the compact readout electronics could fulfill the needs of the HIPD. A prototype with a 10 cm×10 cm sensitive area has been constructed to further study the characteristics of the neutron scintillator detector.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.11505147)the State Key Laboratory of Particle Detection and Electronics(SKLPDE-KF-202009)Fundamental Science on NuclearWastes and Environmental Safety Laboratory(16kfhk05).
文摘Purpose Boron-lined gas detectors are prospective alternatives to helium-3-based neutron detectors.For boron-lined multiwire proportional chamber(MWPC)with neutron grazing incident angle geometry,high neutron detection efficiency and 3D position sensitive can be realized.In this paper,a multi-layer boron-lined MWPC was studied.Methods Influences of the boron coating thickness,coating layer numbers and neutron incident angle on the neutron detection efficiency were studied and optimized with Geant4 simulation.The output signal properties including induced signal width on the readout plane,the time resolution and gas gain uniformity of the detector were studied with Garfield program.Results and conclusion The results show that the neutron detection efficiency can be significantly increased by using neutron grazing incident geometry.For 4 layers of 10B4Cwith thickness of 1μm,the neutron detection efficiency can reach to 54.56%,49.17%and 44.36%when neutron incident angle is 6°,8°and 10°,respectively.For detector with curved geometry,the gas gain is nonuniform among the anode wires,and using separate high voltage for each anode wire or wires group can effectively reduce the nonuniform of the gas gain.The results of this work can be used to optimize the detector design.