Publications (3)2.17 Total impact
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Article: Analytical modeling of thin film neutron converters and its application to thermal neutron gas detectors
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ABSTRACT: A simple model is explored mainly analytically to calculate and understand the PHS of single and multi-layer thermal neutron detectors and to help optimize the design in different circumstances. Several theorems are deduced that can help guide the design.02/2013; -
Article: Multi-Grid Boron-10 detector for large area applications in neutron scattering science
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ABSTRACT: The present supply of 3He can no longer meet the detector demands of the upcoming ESS facility and continued detector upgrades at current neutron sources. Therefore viable alternative technologies are required to support the development of cutting-edge instrumentation for neutron scattering science. In this context, 10B-based detectors are being developed by collaboration between the ESS, ILL, and Link\"{o}ping University. This paper reports on progress of this technology and the prospects applying it in modern neutron scattering experiments. The detector is made-up of multiple rectangular gas counter tubes coated with B4C, enriched in 10B. An anode wire reads out each tube, thereby giving position of conversion in one of the lateral co-ordinates as well as in depth of the detector. Position resolution in the remaining co-ordinate is obtained by segmenting the cathode tube itself. Boron carbide films have been produced at Link\"{o}ping University and a detector built at ILL. The characterization study is presented in this paper, including measurement of efficiency, effects of the fill gas species and pressure, coating thickness variation on efficiency and sensitivity to gamma-rays.09/2012; -
Article: B4C thin films for neutron detection.
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ABSTRACT: Due to the very limited availability of 3He, new kinds of neutron detectors, not based on 3He, are urgently needed. Here, we present a method to produce thin films of 10B4C, with maximized detection efficiency, intended to be part of a new generation of large area neutron detectors. B4C thin films have been deposited onto Al-blade and Si wafer substrates by dc magnetron sputtering from natB4C and 10B4C targets in an Ar discharge, using an industrial deposition system. The films were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, elastic recoil detection analysis, x-ray reflectivity, and neutron radiography. We show that the film-substrate adhesion and film purity are improved by increased substrate temperature and deposition rate. A deposition rate of 3.8 Å/s and substrate temperature of 400 °C result in films with a density close to bulk values and good adhesion to film thickness above 3 μm. Boron-10 contents of almost 80 at. % are obtained in 6.3 m2 of 1 μm thick 10B4C thin films coated on Al-blades. Initial neutron absorption measurements agree with Monte Carlo simulations and show that the layer thickness, number of layers, neutron wavelength, and amount of impurities are determining factors. The study also shows the importance of having uniform layer thicknesses over large areas, which for a full-scale detector could be in total ∼1000 m2 of two-side coated Al-blades with ∼1 μm thick 10B4C films.Journal of Applied Physics 05/2012; 111(100-111). · 2.17 Impact Factor
