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

合作提案1038700（负责人：蒋红星，德克萨斯理工大学）1038890（负责人：詹姆斯·埃德加，堪萨州立大学）ARI-MA：合作研究：基于六方氮化硼的中子探测器将对六方氮化硼（hBN）的特性和加工进行基础研究，以实现近乎理想的固态热中子探测器的制造。 通过金属有机化学气相沉积制备的这种宽带隙半导体的外延薄膜将被有意掺杂以控制其电学和光学性质。 高结构质量的块状六方氮化硼晶体将从熔融金属溶液中生长出来，因此可以确定扩展缺陷对其性能的影响。 六方氮化硼材料将采用同位素富集硼 10 制备，利用其高热中子俘获截面来提高探测器灵敏度。 六方氮化硼基本特性的最终值将由先进的材料表征技术确定。将制造固态中子探测器，包括采用新型多层结构的装置，该结构可以容纳载流子的短平均自由程，并对其中子探测能力进行彻底测试。 最终，开发的探测器预计将对核威胁探测产生重大影响，并可能产生多种有用的设备，从小型一次性探测器到大面积监视器，并提供氦 3 探测器的替代品。 两个参与机构的研究生和本科生将积极参与这一高度跨学科的研究项目。

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.