High Performance Neutron Detector

With the increase in the number of new neutron sources, stationary as well as portable, there has been growing utilization of neutrons in materials science and other fields. However, available neutron detectors are not able to extract the full potential of the new neutron sources being built. This project will investigate a new class of bright, fast scintillation materials that provide excellent efficiency and fast response, and can be manufactured using a low cost fabrication process. The approach involves creating crystalline layers of new scintillators, which will be used to build high efficiency detector modules that can provide high spatial resolution. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of producing high performance crystalline layers of new scintillators. Full detector modules will be built and evaluated in Phase II. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Over and above the application to neutron detection and imaging, the new scintillators should be commercially applicable to non-destructive evaluation, medical instrumentation, oil exploration, and materials analysis. They will also be useful in particle and space physics experiments.