ARI-MA: Collaborative Research: Hexagonal Boron Nitride Based Neutron Detectors

ARI-MA：合作研究：六方氮化硼基中子探测器

• 批准号: 1038700
• 负责人: Hongxing Jiang
• 金额: $ 20万
• 依托单位: Texas Tech University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-09-15 至 2011-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1038700&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: ARI; MA; Collaborative; Research; Hexagonal

Collaborative Proposals1038700 (PI: Hongxing Jiang, Texas Tech University)1038890 (PI: James Edgar, Kansa State University)ARI-MA: Collaborative Research: Hexagonal Boron Nitride Based Neutron Detectors Fundamental studies on the properties and processing of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) will be performed to enable the fabrication of nearly ideal solid state thermal neutron detectors. Epitaxial films of this wide band gap semiconductor, prepared by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, will be intentionally doped to control its electrical and optical properties. High structural quality, bulk hBN crystals will be grown from molten metal solutions, so the impact of extended defects on its properties can be determined. The hBN materials will be prepared with isotopically-enriched boron-10, to take advantage of its high thermal neutron capture cross section to enhance detector sensitivity. Definitive values of the fundamental properties of hBN will be determined by advanced materials characterization techniques. Solid state neutron detectors, including devices employing a novel multiple layer structure that can accommodate short mean free paths of charge carriers, will be fabricated, and their neutron detection ability thoroughly tested. Ultimately, the detectors developed is expected to have a major impact on nuclear threat detection and could lead to a large variety of useful devices, ranging from small disposable detectors to large area monitors, and provide an alternative to helium-3 based detectors. Graduate and undergraduate students from both participating institutions will be actively involved in this highly interdisciplinary research project.

合作提案1038700（PI：Hongxing Jiang，Texas Tech University）1038890（PI：James埃德加，Kansa州立大学）ARI-MA：合作研究：六方氮化硼基中子探测器将对六方氮化硼（hBN）的性质和加工进行基础研究，以制造接近理想的固态热中子探测器。 这种宽带隙半导体的外延膜，通过金属有机化学气相沉积法制备，将被有意地掺杂以控制其电学和光学性质。 高结构质量的块状hBN晶体将从熔融金属溶液中生长，因此可以确定扩展缺陷对其性能的影响。 hBN材料将用同位素富集的硼-10制备，以利用其高热中子捕获截面来提高探测器灵敏度。 hBN的基本性质的连续值将由先进的材料表征技术确定。将制造固态中子探测器，包括采用一种新型多层结构的装置，这种结构可以容纳载流子的短平均自由程，并彻底测试它们的中子探测能力。 最终，预计所开发的探测器将对核威胁探测产生重大影响，并可能导致各种各样的有用设备，从小型一次性探测器到大面积监测器，并提供氦-3探测器的替代品。 来自两个参与机构的研究生和本科生将积极参与这个高度跨学科的研究项目。