Work

Alpha Background in Multi-Grid Neutron Detectors

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Alpha emission from actinide impurities in Al is a source of background counting rate in Multi-Grid type detectors of thermal neutrons. The alpha emission rates from samples of radio-purity Al and \mathrm{Al/B_{4}C} composite, used in grid construction, were measured on a large-area, low background spectrometer. Although the alpha emission rate from the composite was a factor \sim280 higher than radio-pure Al, \mathrm{25\:μm} Ni plating of the composite reduced the rate by a factor \sim1170. Background counting rates in two Multi-Grid prototypes were compared. They used identical configurations of \mathrm{B_{4}C}-coated, radio-pure Al normal blades for the grids, but the first employed radio-purity Al for the radial blades, while the second used Ni-plated \mathrm{Al/B_{4}C} on the radial blades. The background rate from the second prototype was around 20% of that from the first.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2605.22230

Authors: Backis, A., Lai, C. -C., Annand, J. R. M., Fissum, K. G., Zuzel, G., Czubak, M., Livingston, K.

Institutions: European Spallation Source, University of Glasgow, Jagiellonian University

Topic: Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies

Subfield: Radiation

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7162091817

Cites:

Cited by:

Related to: