Detector for imaging and dosimetry of laser-driven epithermal neutrons by alpha conversion

Mirfayzi, S. R. and Alejo, A. and Ahmed, H. and Wilson, L. A. and Ansell, S. and Armstrong, C. and Butler, N. M. H. and Clarke, R. J. and Higginson, A. and Notley, M. and Raspino, D. and Rusby, D. R. and Borghesi, M. and Rhodes, N. J. and McKenna, P. and Neely, D. and Brenner, C. M. and Kar, S. (2016) Detector for imaging and dosimetry of laser-driven epithermal neutrons by alpha conversion. Journal of Instrumentation. ISSN 1748-0221 (In Press)

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Abstract

An epithermal neutron imager based on detecting alpha particles created by boron neutron capture mechanism is discussed. The diagnostic mainly consists of a mm thick Boron Nitride (BN) sheet (as an alpha converter) in contact with a non-borated cellulose nitride film (LR115 type-II) detector. While the BN absorbs the neutrons below 0.1 eV, the fast neutrons register insignificantly in the detector due to their low neutron capture and recoil cross-sections. The use of solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD), unlike image plates, micro-channel plates and scintillators, provide safeguard from the x-rays, gamma-rays and electrons. The diagnostic was tested on a proof-of-principle basis, in front of a laser driven source of moderated neutrons, which suggests the potential of using this diagnostic (BN+SSNTD) for dosimetry and imaging applications.