Fast-Track : High-Volume, Low-Cost Production of Large Area Neutron Science Detectors

Neutron scattering is a powerful technique that is critically important for materials science and structural biology applications. Pressurized 3He tubes are widely used in this field. However, the severe 3He shortage prevents this medium from satisfying even current installation upgrades. Clearly other detection media and instrumentation techniques must be found to come close to taking full advantage of powerful, expensive facilities like the Spallation Neutron Source in the US. A neutron detection technology, based on boron-coated straw (BCS) detectors, has been proposed to replace 3He tubes in large-scale neutron science instruments. In previous projects funded by the US government, BCS-based imaging panels were developed and tested successfully at a national neutron scattering facility. The current project aims to develop production methods, including a critical in-house 10B4C high volume sputter coating system and automated in line detector tube production system, that together will dramatically increase production capacity to the level required, and as well offer a significant cost reduction. The capability to efficiently and effectively produce BCS detectors in high volumes to meet the communitys needs for large inelastic instruments will be demonstrated with a full scale prototype imaging panel. The panel will be comprehensively tested and evaluated at a US neutron science facility.