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US 8,507,872 B2Granted
Neutron detection
AssigneeNova Scientific, Inc.
InventorsW. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims41
An apparatus comprising:
- a microchannel plate comprising:
- a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels;
- and
- layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels, the layers including a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material, the neutron sensitive material having a composition that is different from that of the structure.
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A method of fabricating a microchannel plate, the method comprising:
- fabricating a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels;
- and
- depositing a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material on walls of the microchannels.
A method of detecting neutrons, the method comprising:
- using a layer of neutron sensitive material formed on a wall of a microchannel of a microchannel plate to capture a neutron and generate at least one reactant particle, the microchannel plate comprising a glass plate having a structure that defines the microchannel, the glass plate comprising glass having less than 25 mol % lead (Pb) and less than 20 mol % of the neutron sensitive material, the neutron sensitive material having a composition that is different from that of the glass;
- detecting secondary electrons that are generated based on an interaction between the reactant particle and a layer of electron emissive material on the wall of the microchannel;
- and
- generating a first signal indicating detection of a neutron.
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An apparatus comprising:
- a microfiber plate comprising:
- a plurality of microfibers that define interstices between the microfibers;
- and
- 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.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.