Performance of the high-efficiency thermal neutron BAND-GEM detector. (28th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muraro, Andrea; Croci, Gabriele; Perelli Cippo, Enrico; Grosso, Giovanni; Höglund, Carina; Albani, Giorgia; Hall-Wilton, Richard; Kanaki, Kalliopi; Murtas, Fabrizio; Raspino, Davide; Robinson, Linda; Rodhes, Nigel; Rebai, Marica; Schmidt, Susann; Schooneveld, Erik; Tardocchi, Marco; Gorini, Giuseppe
• Is Part Of: Progress of theoretical and experimental physics. Volume 2018:Number 2(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-02-28
• Subjects: H11 -- H50; Physics -- Periodicals; Mathematical physics -- Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1093/ptep/pty005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-3911

Abstract

Abstract: New high-count-rate detectors are required for future spallation neutron sources where large-area and high-efficiency ($>$ 50%) detectors are envisaged. In this framework, Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) is one of the detector technologies being explored, since it features good spatial resolution ($<$ 0.5 cm) and timing properties, has excellent rate capability (MHz/mm$^{2})$ and can cover large areas (some m$^{2})$ at low cost. In the BAND-GEM (boron array neutron detector GEM) approach a 3D geometry for the neutron converter cathode was developed that is expected to provide an efficiency $>$ 30% in the wavelength range of interest for small angle neutron scattering instruments. A system of aluminum grids with thin walls coated with a 0.59 $\mu$ m layer of $^{10}$ B$_{4}$ C has been built and positioned in the first detector gap, orthogonally to the cathode. By tilting the grid system with respect to the beam, there is a significant increase of effective thickness of the borated material crossed by the neutrons. As a consequence, both interaction probability and detection efficiency are increased. This paper presents the results of the performance of the BAND-GEM detector in terms of efficiency and spatial resolution.