TPC-like readout for thermal neutron detection using a GEM-detector

Flierl, B.; Hertenberger, R.; Biebel, O. and Zeitelhack, K. (2016): TPC-like readout for thermal neutron detection using a GEM-detector. In: Nuclear instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 824: pp. 528-531

Abstract

Spatial resolution of less than 200 mu m is challenging for thermal neutron detection. A novel readout scheme based on the time-projection-chamber (TPC) concept is used in a gaseous electron multiplier (GEM) detector [1]. Thermal neutrons are captured in a single 2 mu m thick Boron-10 converter cathode and secondary Helium and Lithium ions are produced with a combined energy of 2.8 MeV. These ions have sufficient energy to form straight tracks of several mm length. With a time resolving 2-dimensional readout of 400 mu m pitch in both directions, based on APV25 chips, the ions are tracked and their respective origin in the cathode converter foil is reconstructed. Using an Ar-Co-2 93:7% gas mixture, a resolution of 100 mu m (FVVHM 235 mu m) has been observed with a triple GEM-detector setup at the Garching neutron source (FRMII) for neutrons of 4.7 angstrom. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Physics
• Subjects: 500 Science > 530 Physics
• ISSN: 0168-9002
• Language: English