Study of a nTHGEM-based thermal neutron detector

Ke Li; Jian-Rong Zhou; Xiao-Dong Wang; Tao Xiong; Ying Zhang; Yu-Guang Xie; Liang Zhou; Hong Xu; Gui-An Yang; Yan-Feng Wang; Yan Wang; Jin-Jie Wu; Zhi-Jia Sun; Bi-Tao Hu

doi:10.1088/1674-1137/40/7/076002

Chinese Physics C> 2016, Vol. 40> Issue(7) : 076002 DOI: 10.1088/1674-1137/40/7/076002

Study of a nTHGEM-based thermal neutron detector

Ke Li ^1,2,3 ,
Jian-Rong Zhou ^1,2,3 ,
Xiao-Dong Wang ⁴ ,
Tao Xiong ⁵ ,
Ying Zhang ⁶ ,
Yu-Guang Xie ² ,
Liang Zhou ^2,3 ,
Hong Xu ^2,3 ,
Gui-An Yang ^2,3 ,
Yan-Feng Wang ^2,3 ,
Yan Wang ⁶ ,
Jin-Jie Wu ⁷ ,
Zhi-Jia Sun ^2,3,, ,
Bi-Tao Hu ^1,,

Abstract
HTML
Reference
Related

PDF

Abstract：
With new generation neutron sources, traditional neutron detectors cannot satisfy the demands of the applications, especially under high flux. Furthermore, facing the global crisis in ³He gas supply, research on new types of neutron detector as an alternative to ³He is a research hotspot in the field of particle detection. GEM (Gaseous Electron Multiplier) neutron detectors have high counting rate, good spatial and time resolution, and could be one future direction of the development of neutron detectors. In this paper, the physical process of neutron detection is simulated with Geant4 code, studying the relations between thermal conversion efficiency, boron thickness and number of boron layers. Due to the special characteristics of neutron detection, we have developed a novel type of special ceramic nTHGEM (neutron THick GEM) for neutron detection. The performance of the nTHGEM working in different Ar/CO₂ mixtures is presented, including measurements of the gain and the count rate plateau using a copper target X-ray source. A detector with a single nTHGEM has been tested for 2-D imaging using a ²⁵²Cf neutron source. The key parameters of the performance of the nTHGEM detector have been obtained, providing necessary experimental data as a reference for further research on this detector.
- GEM ,
- THGEM ,
- neutron detection ,
- boron convertor ,
- alternative to 3He

References

[1]	R. T. Kouzes, A. T. Lintereur, and E. R. Siciliano, Nucl. Instrum. Methods A, 784:172-175(2015)
[2]	M. R. Fitzsimmons, S. D. Bader, J. A. Borchers et al, J MAGN MAGN MATER, 271:103-146(2004)
[3]	A. Pietropaolo, F. Murtas, G. Claps et al, Nucl. Instrum. Methods A, 729:117-126(2013)
[4]	H. Ohshita, S Uno, T Otomo et al, Nucl.Instr. Methods A, 623:126-128(2010)
[5]	C. J. Schmidt, M. Klein, Neutron News, 17(1):12-15(2006)
[6]	M. Klein, C. J. Schmidt, Nucl. Instrum. Methods A, 628:9-18(2011)
[7]	Y. G. Xie, J. G. L, A. W. Zhang et al, Nucl. Instrum. Methods A, 729:809-815(2013)
[8]	J. R. Zhou, Z. J. Sun, B. Liu et al, Chin. Phys. C, 35(7):668-674(2011)
[9]	J. Q. Yan, Y. G. Xie, T. Hu et al, Chin. Phys. C, 39(6):066001(2015)
[10]	Y. F. Wang, Z. J. Sun, J. R. Zhou et al. SCI CHINA PHYS MECH, 56:1897-1902(2013)
[11]	Z. Y. He, J. R. Zhou, Z. J. Sun et al, Chin. Phys. C, 38(5):58-61(2013)
[12]	L. Yang, J. R. Zhou, Z. J. Sun et al, Chin. Phys. C, 39(5):056002(2015)

[1]	Zhao-Ming Zeng , Hui Gong , Jian-Min Li , Qian Yue , Zhi Zeng , Jian-Ping Cheng . Design of the thermal neutron detection system for CJPL-II. Chinese Physics C, 2017, 41(5): 056002. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/41/5/056002
[2]	Yi Liu , Yi-Gang Yang , Yang Tai , Zhi Zhang . A capture-gated fast neutron detection method. Chinese Physics C, 2016, 40(7): 076201. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/40/7/076201
[3]	Ming-Yang Huang , Xin-Heng Guo , Bing-Lin Young . Detection of supernova neutrinos at spallation neutron sources. Chinese Physics C, 2016, 40(7): 073102. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/40/7/073102
[4]	Xu-Dong Ju , Ming-Yi Dong , Yi-Chen Zhao , Chuan-Xing Zhou , Qun Ou-Yang . Design and optimization of resistive anode for a two-dimensional imaging GEM detector. Chinese Physics C, 2016, 40(8): 086004. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/40/8/086004
[5]	YAN Jia-Qing , XIE Yu-Guang , HU Tao , LU Jun-Guang , ZHOU Li , QU Guo-Pu , CAI Xiao , NIU Shun-Li , CHEN Hai-Tao . Simulation and performance study of ceramic THGEM. Chinese Physics C, 2015, 39(6): 066001. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/39/6/066001
[6]	HONG Dao-Jin , YU Bo-Xiang , LIU Hong-Bang , HE Xiao-Rong , AN Guang-Peng , CHEN Hai-Tao , CHEN Shi , HU Tao , LI Jia-Cai , LIU Qian , NIU Shun-Li , RUAN Xiang-Dong , XIE Yi-Gang , ZHANG Xuan , ZHENG Yang-Heng . p/π⁺ response of single layer THGEM detector in Ar+3% iC₄H₁₀. Chinese Physics C, 2015, 39(9): 096002. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/39/9/096002
[7]	YANG Lei , ZHOU Jian-Rong , SUN Zhi-Jia , ZHANG Ying , HUANG Chao-Qiang , SUN Guang-Ai , WANG Yan-Feng , YANG Gui-An , XU Hong , XIE Yu-Guang , CHEN Yuan-Bo . Experimental research on a THGEM-based thermal neutron detector. Chinese Physics C, 2015, 39(5): 056002. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/39/5/056002
[8]	WANG Xiao-Dong , YANG He-Run , REN Zhong-Guo , ZHANG Jun-Wei , YANG Lei , ZHANG Chun-Hui , HA Ri-Ba-La , AN L , HU Bi-Tao . Study on the novel neutron-to-proton convertor for improving the detection efficiency of a triple GEM based fast neutron detector. Chinese Physics C, 2015, 39(2): 026001. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/39/2/026001
[9]	HE Zhan-Ying , ZHOU Jian-Rong , SUN Zhi-Jia , YANG Gui-An , XU Hong , WANG Yan-Feng , LIU Qian , LIU Hong-Bang , CHEN Shi , XIE Yi-Gang , ZHENG Yang-Heng , WANG Xiao-Dong , ZHANG Xiao-Dong , HU Bi-Tao , CHEN Yuan-Bo . Experimental studies of THGEM in different Ar/CO₂ mixtures. Chinese Physics C, 2014, 38(5): 056003. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/38/5/056003
[10]	HE Li , DENG Zhi , LIU Yi-Nong , LI Yu-Lan . Development of a multi-channel readout ASIC for a fast neutron spectrometer based on GEM-TPC. Chinese Physics C, 2014, 38(10): 106101. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/38/10/106101
[11]	Danial Salehi , Dariush Sardari , Salehi Jozani . Characteristics of a heavy water photoneutron source in boron neutron capture therapy. Chinese Physics C, 2013, 37(7): 078201. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/37/7/078201
[12]	XU Ming , TANG Zhi-Cheng , CHEN Guo-Ming , TAO Jun-Quan . Comparison of thermal neutron detection efficiency of ⁶Li scintillation glass and ³He gas proportional tube. Chinese Physics C, 2013, 37(10): 106001. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/37/10/106001
[13]	ZHANG Ai-Wu , YU Bo-Xiang , XIE Yu-Guang , LIU Hong-Bang , AN Zheng-Hua , WANG Zhi-Gang , CAI Xiao , SUN Xi-Lei , SHI Feng , FANG Jian , XUE Zhen , SUN Li-Jun , GE Yong-Shuai , LIU Ying-Biao , HU Tao , ZHOU Li , , . Experimental study of a THGEM detector with mini-rims. Chinese Physics C, 2012, 36(2): 142-145. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/36/2/007
[14]	YANG Zai-Hong , YE Yan-Lin , XIAO Jun , YOU Hai-Bo , LIU HONG-Na , SUN Ye-Lei , WANG Zi-Heng , CHEN Jie . Fast calibration methods using cosmic rays for a neutron detection array. Chinese Physics C, 2012, 36(3): 222-227. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/36/3/006
[15]	LIU Hong-Bang , ZHENG Yang-Heng , XIE Yi-Gang , LV Jun-Guang , ZHOU Li , YU Bo-Xiang , ZHANG Ai-Wu , AN Zheng-Hua , XIE Yu-Guang , ZHANG Dong , ZHENG Zhi-Peng . Study of the THGEM detector with a reflective CsI photocathode. Chinese Physics C, 2011, 35(4): 363-367. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/35/4/008
[16]	ZHOU Jian-Rong , SUN Zhi-Jia , LIU Ben , WANG Yan-Feng , YANG Gui-An , ZHOU Liang , XU Hong , DONG Jing , YANG Lei , LI Yi . Neutron beam monitor based on a boron-coated GEM. Chinese Physics C, 2011, 35(7): 668-674. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/35/7/012
[17]	AN Zheng-Hua , WANG Zhi-Gang , CAI Xiao , DONG Ming-Yi , FANG Jian , HU Tao , NING Fei-Peng , SUN Li-Jun , SUN Xi-Lei , WANG Xiao-Dong , XUE Zhen , YU Bo-Xiang , ZHANG Ai-Wu , ZHOU Li , ZHENG Yang-Heng , , . Experimental study on the performance of a single-THGEM gas detector. Chinese Physics C, 2010, 34(1): 83-87. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/34/1/015
[18]	WANG Yi , CHENG Jian-Ping , LI Yuan-Jing , LUO Ming , ZHANG Guo-Guang . An MRPC for fast neutron detection. Chinese Physics C, 2010, 34(1): 88-91. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/34/1/016
[19]	QI Hui-Rong , LI Yu-Lan , LI Jin , GAO Yuan-Ning , LI Yuan-Jing . Study on the TU gas for the GEM-TPC detector. Chinese Physics C, 2009, 33(4): 289-291. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/33/4/010
[20]	CAO Liang-Jun , LI Yu-Lan , LAI Yong-Fang , LI Jin , LI Yuan-Jing . Study of Gas Properties for GEM-Based TPC. Chinese Physics C, 2007, 31(5): 475-480.

Access

Get Citation

Ke Li, Jian-Rong Zhou, Xiao-Dong Wang, Tao Xiong, Ying Zhang, Yu-Guang Xie, Liang Zhou, Hong Xu, Gui-An Yang, Yan-Feng Wang, Yan Wang, Jin-Jie Wu, Zhi-Jia Sun and Bi-Tao Hu. Study of a nTHGEM-based thermal neutron detector[J]. Chinese Physics C, 2016, 40(7): 076002. doi: 10.1088/1674-1137/40/7/076002

RIS(for EndNote,Reference Manager,ProCite)

BibTex

Txt

Milestone

Received: 2015-11-20
Revised: 2016-02-18

Fund

Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (11127508, 11175199, 11205253, 11405191), Key Laboratory of Neutron Physics, CAEP (2013DB06, 2013BB04) and CAS (YZ201512)

Article Metric

Article Views(1638)
PDF Downloads(97)
Cited by(0)

Policy on re-use

To reuse of subscription content published by CPC, the users need to request permission from CPC, unless the content was published under an Open Access license which automatically permits that type of reuse.

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142

Study of a nTHGEM-based thermal neutron detector

Corresponding author: Zhi-Jia Sun,

Corresponding author: Bi-Tao Hu,

Received Date: 2015-11-20

Accepted Date: 2016-02-18

Available Online: 2016-07-05

Fund Project: Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (11127508, 11175199, 11205253, 11405191), Key Laboratory of Neutron Physics, CAEP (2013DB06, 2013BB04) and CAS (YZ201512)

Abstract: With new generation neutron sources, traditional neutron detectors cannot satisfy the demands of the applications, especially under high flux. Furthermore, facing the global crisis in ³He gas supply, research on new types of neutron detector as an alternative to ³He is a research hotspot in the field of particle detection. GEM (Gaseous Electron Multiplier) neutron detectors have high counting rate, good spatial and time resolution, and could be one future direction of the development of neutron detectors. In this paper, the physical process of neutron detection is simulated with Geant4 code, studying the relations between thermal conversion efficiency, boron thickness and number of boron layers. Due to the special characteristics of neutron detection, we have developed a novel type of special ceramic nTHGEM (neutron THick GEM) for neutron detection. The performance of the nTHGEM working in different Ar/CO₂ mixtures is presented, including measurements of the gain and the count rate plateau using a copper target X-ray source. A detector with a single nTHGEM has been tested for 2-D imaging using a ²⁵²Cf neutron source. The key parameters of the performance of the nTHGEM detector have been obtained, providing necessary experimental data as a reference for further research on this detector.

HTML

Reference (12)

Study of a nTHGEM-based thermal neutron detector

Abstract：

References

Access

Article Metrics

Metrics

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

Email This Article