Fast Neutron Detector Based on TimePix Pixel
Device with Micrometer Spatial Resolution
Autor
Rok
2010
Časopis
IEEE NSS/MIC Orlando, Conf. Record
Obsah
Fast neutrons are increasingly used in many
fields. Fast neutrons are conventionally detected by scintillators
with relatively large volume and low spatial resolution. In this
paper we present a novel detection technique based on tracking
of protons recoiled by fast neutrons. The tracking is performed
by the silicon pixelated detector Timepix (300 um thick
silicon sensor, 256 x 256 square pixels with 55 um pitch) covered
by a hydrogen rich converter (e.g. plastic material). The
performance of the TimePix device for detection of highly
ionizing particles such as protons was already published. The
technique utilizes the charge sharing effect and it is based on
proper analysis of individual recorded tracks (clusters). The
range of protons recoiled by fast neutrons is often greater than
the pixel size allowing to determine not only energy and position
but also the impact angle (precision is better than 2 degrees for
5 MeV protons).
Protons lose part of their energy in the plastic before
reaching the Si sensor. This energy can be measured if a plastic
scintillator with an attached silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) is
used. The two devices (SiPM and Timepix) can be operated in
coincidence reducing significantly the undesired background
radiation.
Having all information about the recoiled proton and
knowing the original direction of the neutron it is possible to
reconstruct the exact position of the neutron-proton collision in
the converter and the original neutron energy. The final spatial
resolution of the neutron position determination reaches the
subpixel level (about 20 μm). The expected energy resolution is
about 0.5 MeV for 10 MeV neutrons. Preliminary experimental
results are presented.
Granty
Projekty
Příklad citace článku:
J. Jakůbek, J. Uher, "Fast Neutron Detector Based on TimePix Pixel
Device with Micrometer Spatial Resolution", IEEE NSS/MIC Orlando, Conf. Record (2010)