Development of handheld and backpack neutron detectors

A Neutron detection device is an indispensable tool for power, medical, defense, and homeland security applications. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear weapons is a serious threat in today’s world. Low cost, low power, high performance, rugged and portable neutron detection devices are highly desirable for these applications. Yet, the cost and production volume of the traditional He-3 tube based neutron detector are greatly limited by the availability of the He-3 rare gas. Agiltron proposes an unprecedented fabrication and integration approach to make a Boron-10 filled micro -fabricated solid-state neutron detector, which, with performances readily to replace the He-3 tubes, can be commercially manufactured at low cost for largescale deployment. The success of this project will lead to the large-scale manufacture of these unmatched next generation neutron detectors.