SBIR Phase I: Boron Phosphide Thermal Neutron Detectors

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将从磷化硼(10BP)开发一种新型的热中子探测器，该探测器将结合固体的高硼密度和对中子相互作用的高效响应。新的探测器将坚固耐用、紧凑、对热中子高度敏感、对伽马辐射相对不敏感、速度快，并能够进行低偏置操作。第一阶段将开发在梯度组成的GaP衬底上MOCVD生长高质量BP薄膜的创新技术。薄膜将被生长到几十微米的厚度，并检查物理结构。在制造成探测器后，将在斯皮尔测试基本的电学性能，然后将探测器送往桑迪亚国家实验室进行辐射测试。第二阶段将扩展技术，以优化探测器性能和更厚的薄膜沉积以获得更高的灵敏度。总体目标是实现一种高度中子敏感的半导体探测器，该探测器结构紧凑，用途广泛，具有潜在的成像应用能力。拟议的研究工作将导致高效率的磷化硼薄膜热中子探测器。它们的紧凑尺寸和低电压操作将使它们非常适合于取代当前需要便携或在受限条件下操作的气体或闪烁体探测器。这些探测器的新颖设计还将在中子辐射照相和剂量测定、环境监测、核不扩散和监测反应堆运行方面得到广泛应用。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a novel thermal neutron detector from boron phosphide (10BP) that will combine the high boron density of a solid with the efficient creation of large response to the neutron interactions. The new detectors will be rugged, compact, highly sensitive to thermal neutrons, relatively insensitive to gamma radiation, fast, and capable of low bias operation. Phase I will develop the innovative technique of MOCVD growth of high quality BP films on graded composition Gap substrates. Films will be grown to thicknesses of several tens of microns and examined for physical structure. After fabrication into detectors, the basic electrical properties will be tested at Spire and then the detectors will be sent to Sandia National Laboratory for radiation testing. Phase II will extend the technology for optimized detector performance and thicker film deposition for greater sensitivity. The overall goal is to achieve a highly neutron sensitive semiconductor detector that is compact, versatile, and potentially capable of imaging applications. The proposed research effort will result in high efficiency, boron phosphide thin film thermal neutron detectors. Their compact size and low voltage operation will make them aptly suited to replace cur-rent gas or scintillator detectors that need to operate portably or under constrained conditions. The novel design of these detectors will also find extended uses in neutron radiography and dosimetry, environmental monitoring, nuclear nonproliferation, and monitoring reactor operations.