Open Call for Science and Technology Created by Early-Stage (e.g. University) Teams

Cerium Labs has developed a miniature, highly sensitive, semiconductor device called the Neutron Intercepting Semiconductor Chip (NISC, US Patent 6,075,261) to advance neutron detection technology for national defense. This device is essentially a flash memory chip with a 10B-enriched borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG) layer. The well-known n-10B reaction creates 4He and 7Li particles which deplete charge in the oxide-nitride-oxide layer, flipping the bit from “0� to “1�. As this signal is intrinsically digital, there is no signal manipulation or digitization necessary. Furthermore, the active volume and readout of the detector is contained within a single chip allowing an unprecedented scalability, minute form factor, and ease-of-use. Tests of current prototypes have shown high efficiency to neutron radiation and insensitivity to gamma radiation. The NISC detector can work in either an active or passive mode. In passive mode, the chip requires no external power. When turned back on, the number of neutrons detected can be read. Alternatively, active mode operation provides real-time information. Phase I support is solicited for development of an auxiliary board reader, which can scan and reset the memory cells and record timestamps on a continuous basis.