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US 2014/0339433 A1Published application
Neutron Detection
AssigneeNova Scientific, Inc.
InventorsW. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Abstract
A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include boron-10, lithium-6, or gadolinium.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a microfiber plate comprising:
- a plurality of microfibers that define interstices between the microfibers;
- layers of materials disposed on surfaces of the microfibers, the layers including a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material;
- an input electrode;
- and
- an output electrode, in which the microfibers are disposed between the input and output electrodes.
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A method of fabricating a microfiber plate, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of microfibers that define interstices between the microfibers;
- and
- depositing layers of materials on surfaces of the microfibers, the layers including a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material.
A method of detecting neutrons, the method comprising:
- using a layer of neutron sensitive material formed on surfaces of microfibers of a microfiber plate to capture a neutron and generate at least one reactant particle;
- detecting secondary electrons that are generated based on an interaction between the reactant particle and a layer of electron emissive material on the surfaces of the microfibers;
- and
- generating a first signal indicating detection of a neutron.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.