Neutron detectors are essential across disciplines such as fundamental science, nuclear security, safeguards, and civilian applications. While 3He-filled gas proportional counters have long been revered for their efficacy in detecting thermal neutrons and praised for their efficiency, neutron/gamma discrimination, and stability, the scarcity of 3He has spurred a search for alternatives. Here, we explore a solid structured scintillating particle composite (SPC) consisting of 6Li-containing scintillating glass particles within an acrylic matrix as a neutron detector for high dynamic range applications. We show for the first time that an SPC neutron detector can boast an intrinsic detection efficiency of 0.261% for pure 252Cf fission neutrons and an overall neutron detection efficiency of (0.546 ± 0.003)% at the Neutron Free-in-Air facility while being able to function in an intense gamma-ray environment. We also show that the SPC neutron detector supports fast neutron capture times and enables a dual-readout scheme that extends the detector dynamic range to high incident neutron fluxes. A scalable fabrication process allows for tailoring the SPC detector properties to the requirements of specific applications. Good agreement is found between the experimental results taken with a National Institute of Standards and Technology traceable 252Cf source and the coupled MCNP6 and optical-ray-tracing simulations.

WIGGINS Brenden W.;  RICHARDS Cameron G.;  MCLEAN Thomas D.;  ILIEV Metodi;  FAVALLI Andrea;  HEHLEN Markus P.; 

2026-07-03

AIP PUBLISHING

JRC140101

1089-7550 (online),   

https://pubs.aip.org/aip/jap/article/136/16/163104/3317861/Solid-structured-composite-neutron-detectors-with,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC140101,   

10.1063/5.0220543 (online),