Open AccessNeutron detection using conversion layers and YAP:Ce and YAG:Ce crystals
Author(s) -
Lucie Fiserova,
Jiří Janda,
Daniel Sas
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
nuclear technology and radiation protection
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 16
eISSN - 1452-8185
pISSN - 1451-3994
DOI - 10.2298/ntrp1503198f
Subject(s) - materials science , scintillation , polyvinyl alcohol , neutron , neutron temperature , crystal (programming language) , isotope , electromagnetic shielding , radiochemistry , analytical chemistry (journal) , optics , nuclear physics , chemistry , physics , composite material , chromatography , detector , computer science , programming language
The work deals with the detection of thermal neutrons using a conversion layer of LiF on YAP:Ce and YAG:Ce scintillation crystals of various sizes. Enriched LiF (95 at. % 6Li) in the form of a mixture with 5 % polyvinyl alcohol was deposited on the crystal face by spraying it in a thin layer. The 252Cf isotope with paraffin moderation and lead shielding was used as a neutron source. The detection is based on the nuclear reaction of 6Li with the neutron. The conversion leads to emitting an alpha particle and triton according to the scheme 6Li (n, a)3H + + 4.5 MeV which are detected by the scintillation crystal. Due to gamma ray interaction, the optimum thickness of the crystal was estimated to 70 µm