Low-cost pseudo-segmented neutron detectors using boron-loaded opaque scintillator
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Liquid scintillator detectors typically aim for high light collection by optimising their medium transparency to maximise photon collection by a single, large area, photo-sensor. Opaque scintillators, recently proposed as a radical alternative to this approach, instead focus on confining light as close as possible to its point of production by adopting scintillator mixtures with enhanced re-scattering probabilities. The use of fine arrays of optical fibres to read out scintillation light produced in this medium permits the imaging of particle interactions with extremely high resolution in a monolothic detector volume. We propose to expand on the opaque scintillator technique by producing an opaque detection medium from a neutron sensitive zinc-sulphide scintillator mixture doped with hexagonal boron nitride platelets. In this approach, we exploit the high light yield of zinc sulphide and the combined high neutron capture cross-section and reflective properties of boron nitride to demonstrate the potential for large volume neutron detection fabrication. This offers the potential for a low cost imaging neutron detector with position sensing and directional capabilities. In this paper, we discuss the progress achieved towards realising this novel neutron detector and potential for future development.
Authors: R. J. Foster, J. P. Stowell, T. Katori, J. R. Greer
Institutions: University of Sheffield, King's College London
Language: English
Subfield: Radiation
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7105855166