Combined neutron and gamma-ray detector and method

A common room-temperature device for detecting both gamma rays and neutrons, comprising:

• an anode;
• a cathode;
• a processor connected to the anode and the cathode;
• a semiconductor layer interposed between the anode and the cathode, the semiconductor layer including a semiconductor material suitable for capturing gamma-ray events, the semiconductor material having generally parallel planar faces and a plurality of trenches in one of the planar faces adjacent to and between segments of one of the cathode and the anode, the trenches containing a material suitable for capturing neutron events;
• where the processor is configured to cooperate with the anode and the cathode to apply an electric field across the semiconductor layer;
• and the processor is configured to differentiate between signals generated by a neutron event and signals generated by a gamma-ray event as a function of a transit time and a magnitude of signals received from each of the anode and the cathode.

A device for detecting both gamma rays and neutrons, comprising:

• a semiconductor layer made of a material for capturing gamma rays;
• an anode attached to a first side of the semiconductor layer;
• a cathode attached to a second side of the semiconductor layer, the second side disposed opposite the first side;
• and
• segments of a neutron-capturing material for capturing neutrons disposed on the second side of the semiconductor layer;
• and
• a processor configured to apply an electric field between the anode and cathode and to differentiate between signals generated by gamma-rays and signals generated by neutrons.