A neutron detection concept is presented that is based on superconductive niobium (Nb) strips coated by a boron (B) layer. The working principle of the detector relies on the nuclear reaction, 10 B + n → α + 7 Li, with α and Li ions generating a hot spot on the current-biased Nb strip which in turn induces a superconducting-normal state transition. The latter is recognized as a voltage signal which is the evidence of the incident neutron. The above described detection principle has been experimentally assessed and verified by irradiating the samples with a pulsed neutron beam at the ISIS spallation neutron source (UK). It is found that the boron coated superconducting strips, kept at a temperature T = 8 K and current-biased below the critical current Ic , are driven into the normal state upon thermal neutron irradiation. As a result of the transition, voltage pulses in excess of 40 mV are measured while the bias current can be properly modulated to bring the strip back to the superconducting state, thus resetting the detector. Measurements on the counting rate of the device are presented and the basic physical features of the detector are discussed.

Merlo, V., Salvato, M., Cirillo, M., Lucci, M., Ottaviani, I., Scherillo, A., et al. (2015). Hybrid Superconducting Neutron Detectors. APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS, 106, 113502 [10.1063/1.4915608].

Hybrid Superconducting Neutron Detectors

MERLO, VITTORIO;SALVATO, MATTEO;CIRILLO, MATTEO;LUCCI, MASSIMILIANO;OTTAVIANI, IVANO;
2015-03-17

Abstract

A neutron detection concept is presented that is based on superconductive niobium (Nb) strips coated by a boron (B) layer. The working principle of the detector relies on the nuclear reaction, 10 B + n → α + 7 Li, with α and Li ions generating a hot spot on the current-biased Nb strip which in turn induces a superconducting-normal state transition. The latter is recognized as a voltage signal which is the evidence of the incident neutron. The above described detection principle has been experimentally assessed and verified by irradiating the samples with a pulsed neutron beam at the ISIS spallation neutron source (UK). It is found that the boron coated superconducting strips, kept at a temperature T = 8 K and current-biased below the critical current Ic , are driven into the normal state upon thermal neutron irradiation. As a result of the transition, voltage pulses in excess of 40 mV are measured while the bias current can be properly modulated to bring the strip back to the superconducting state, thus resetting the detector. Measurements on the counting rate of the device are presented and the basic physical features of the detector are discussed.
17-mar-2015
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore FIS/03 - FISICA DELLA MATERIA
English
Con Impact Factor ISI
Merlo, V., Salvato, M., Cirillo, M., Lucci, M., Ottaviani, I., Scherillo, A., et al. (2015). Hybrid Superconducting Neutron Detectors. APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS, 106, 113502 [10.1063/1.4915608].
Merlo, V; Salvato, M; Cirillo, M; Lucci, M; Ottaviani, I; Scherillo, A; Celentano, G; Pietropaolo, A
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/116150
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