Book/Dissertation / PhD Thesis

FZJ-2021-01791

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Application of Silicon Photomultipliers in Neutron Detectors

Kumar, S. (Corresponding author)FZJ*

2021
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Zentralbibliothek, Verlag Jülich
ISBN: 978-3-95806-537-6

Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/27861  urn:nbn:de:0001-2021052749

Abstract: Advancement in the development of semiconductor photodetectors have led to substitution Tube (PMT) technology by solid state devices in many applications. Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM) are solid-state photodetectors with a gain similar to PMT and that have several advantages over the PMTs like low operating voltages and insensitivity to magnetic fields. However, concerns of radiation damage induced in Silicon due to neutron radiation required a deeper understanding in order the SiPMs to become a suitable technology for neutron detector systems. This work provides an insight into effects of cold neutron irradiation on the important macroscopic characteristics (dark count rate (DCR), photon detection efficiency (PDE) and timing resolution (TR)) of SiPMs and its quantification for two analog samples manufactured respectively by $\textit{SensL - ON Semiconductor and Hamamatsu Photonics}$, and one digital SiPM (Philips Digital Photon Counting, PDPC) from $\textit{Koninklijke Philips N.V.}$ Further, it describes the development of a large cold/thermal neutron scintillation detector prototype, with an active area of 13.6 cm × 13.6 cm, utilizing the digital SiPM (PDPC) modules and a $^{6}$Li glass scintillator. The goal of the development is to have a neutron (5 $\mathring{A}$) detection efficiency of > 75 %, a possible count rate of > 2kcps/cm$^{2}$, and a spatial resolution of minimum1mm × 1 mm. In order to achieve the targeted spatial resolution a light guide was introduced between the SiPM array and the scintillator glass. Geant4 simulations were performed in advance for optimization of the setup. The simulation results were verified by comparing simulation data with measurement results obtained at the research reactor BER-II of HZB Berlin and FRM-II of TU Munich in Garching. Additionally, the overall performance of the detector prototype is evaluated, which finds the prototype to exceed (neutron detection efficiency > 95 %, 100 kcps/cm$^{2}$ count rate and 1mm × 1mm spatial resolution) the specified goals. Furthermore, customized position reconstruction algorithms were developed, based on comparison of simulation and measurement data, and implemented for the targeted neutron detection resolution with a precision of 1 mm. Subsequently, the efficacy of the algorithms were compared for the given detector prototype.

Note: Universität Duisburg, Diss., 2021

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Zentralinstitut für Elektronik (ZEA-2)

Research Program(s):

1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)

Appears in the scientific report 2021

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