Characterization of New Silicon Carbide Neutron Detectors with Thermal and Fast Neutrons

The aim of this work is to present a characterization of a new silicon carbide (SiC) neutron detector fabricated at the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC). The device is based on a 50μm thick p-n diode built in a 4H-SiC wafer. Performance studies were carried out under differe...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Pérez, Martín, Zamorano, Felipe, Fleta, Celeste, Fernández Martínez, Begoña, Guerrero Sánchez, Carlos, Godignon, Philippe, Pellegrini, Giulio, Pérez Maroto, Pablo, Guardiola, Consuelo
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Repositorio:idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla
OAI Identifier:oai:idus.us.es:11441/170803
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/11441/170803
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2024.169968
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Fast neutrons
SiC
Silicon carbide
Thermal neutrons
Descripción
Sumario:The aim of this work is to present a characterization of a new silicon carbide (SiC) neutron detector fabricated at the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC). The device is based on a 50μm thick p-n diode built in a 4H-SiC wafer. Performance studies were carried out under different neutron energy spectra, including thermal and quasi-monoenergetic fast neutrons at the CNA HiSPANoS facility. We implemented a method for the fabrication of enriched LiF conversion layers to use for the detection of thermal neutrons. The detector was proven to be capable of being used for thermal neutron detection with conversion layers of 10B and LiF. A detection efficiency of 6 ± 1% was achieved with a 25μm thick LiF conversion layer. It was also confirmed that the device can be employed for the detection of recoil nuclei and protons produced by fast neutrons. The spectra obtained experimentally were compared with PHITS simulations. This work represents the first step towards the design and fabrication of new SiC neutron detectors in the IMB-CNM-CSIC clean room with potential applications in various scientific and technological fields.