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

合作建议1038700(PI：蒋鸿星，德克萨斯理工大学)1038890(PI：James Edga，堪萨州州立大学)ARI-MA：合作研究：六方氮化硼中子探测器将对六方氮化硼(HBN)的性质和工艺进行基础研究，以使制造出近理想的固态热中子探测器。利用金属有机化学气相沉积法制备了这种宽禁带半导体的外延薄膜，并对其进行有意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出来，因此可以确定扩展的缺陷对其性能的影响。HBN材料将用同位素浓缩硼-10制备，以利用其高的热中子俘获截面来提高探测器的灵敏度。HBN的基本性质的确定值将由先进的材料表征技术确定。固态中子探测器，包括采用新型多层结构的器件，可以容纳电荷载流子的平均平均自由程，将被制造出来，并对其中子探测能力进行彻底的测试。最终，预计开发的探测器将对核威胁探测产生重大影响，并可能导致各种有用的装置，从小型一次性探测器到大面积监测器，并提供氦-3探测器的替代方案。来自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 Proposals 1038700 (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.