Collaborative Research: ARI-MA: Very large area, high sensitivity neutron detection system

合作研究：ARI-MA：超大面积、高灵敏度中子探测系统

• 批准号: 1140044
• 负责人: David Allee
• 金额: $ 8.65万
• 依托单位: Arizona State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-09-15 至 2013-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1140044&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; ARI; MA; Very

The overall technical goal of this program is to study the science and technology needed to develop very large area, rugged, high sensitivity, low power, pixilated, thermal neutron detectors. Very large area detector systems, meters on a side, provide the large aperture needed to quickly scan large containers with high sensitivity. There are three technology areas that will be addressed to meet the goals; 1) the neutron conversion layer, 2) the charged particle detection layer, and 3) the high sensitivity active matrix pixel electronics for low parasitic capacitance detection and signal amplification to allow large arrays. For each of the three technologies there are multiple approaches we will pursue to provide both performance and reliability. For the neutron conversion layer our first approach is to evaluate nanoparticles containing Boron-10 and/or Lithium-6 dispersed in a polymer-based matrix in contact with a thin-film sensor (converter-on-diode). Our longer term approach is to evaluate nanoparticles containing Boron-10 and/or Lithium-6 dispersed in a solution processable semiconductor diode (converter-in-diode). For the charged particle detection system we will develop a fundamental understanding for the current generation and collection in thin-film semiconductor diodes induced by charged particles. To maximize sensitivity while maintaining selectivity we will develop high sensitivity pixel electronics, which will require very low noise amplifiers. We will evaluate new amplifier designs based on thin-film transistors. A significant goal of this project will be developing models to simulate device performance, as well as system performance to evaluate system sensitivity for different detection scenarios.Because of the quickly dwindling supply of Helium-3 a new neutron detection technology is needed. Our project will develop a novel thermal neutron detection system that will provide performance never seen before in nuclear threat detection. The overall concept is based on the idea that overall sensitivity scales with the area of the detector and that the overall selectivity vs. false positives scales with the ability to locate the source of the neutrons by pixelating the detector, increasing the signal-to-noise. Because the proposed technologies are compatible with flat panel display manufacturing technology, the detectors should be relatively inexpensive. Also, because all of the proposed processes are compatible with low temperature plastic substrates, ruggedness is inherent in the design, rather than an afterthought. A significant part of the program is the training of undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students that will learn about nuclear threat detection all the way from the fundamental interactions of neutrons and charged particles with matter to testing devices for sensitivity and radiation hardness, an opportunity available to few students anywhere. As part of the training we will develop a series of classes that can be taught at the senior undergraduate / graduate level, or as a short course for people working in nuclear detection. UT Dallas and Arizona State University have teamed to work together to develop these large area thermal neutron detectors, with close collaboration with the Army Research Labs. Prototypes will be fabricated in the Flexible Display Center at ASU, providing a path to making the technology available.

该计划的总体技术目标是研究开发超大面积、坚固耐用、高灵敏度、低功率、像素化的热中子探测器所需的科学和技术。超大面积探测器系统，一侧有数米，提供了高灵敏度快速扫描大型集装箱所需的大口径。为了实现这些目标，将致力于三个技术领域：1)中子转换层，2)带电粒子检测层，以及3)用于低寄生电容检测和信号放大的高灵敏度有源矩阵像素电子设备，以实现大型阵列。对于这三种技术中的每一种，我们都将采用多种方法来提供性能和可靠性。对于中子转换层，我们的第一个方法是评估分散在聚合物基质中的含有硼-10和/或锂-6的纳米颗粒，这些纳米颗粒与薄膜传感器(二极管转换器)接触。我们的长期方法是评估分散在溶液可加工半导体二极管(二极管转换器)中的含有硼-10和/或锂-6的纳米颗粒。对于带电粒子探测系统，我们将对带电粒子在薄膜半导体二极管中的电流产生和收集有一个基本的了解。为了在保持选择性的同时最大限度地提高灵敏度，我们将开发高灵敏度像素电子产品，这将需要非常低的噪声放大器。我们将评估基于薄膜晶体管的新型放大器设计。该项目的一个重要目标将是开发模型来模拟设备性能以及系统性能，以评估系统在不同探测场景下的灵敏度。由于氦-3供应的迅速减少，需要一种新的中子探测技术。我们的项目将开发一种新型的热中子探测系统，它将在核威胁探测方面提供前所未有的性能。总体概念是基于这样的想法，即总体灵敏度随探测器面积的大小而变化，对假阳性的总体选择性与通过对探测器像素化来定位中子源的能力成比例，从而增加信噪比。由于建议的技术与平板显示器制造技术兼容，因此探测器应该相对便宜。此外，由于所有建议的工艺都与低温塑料基板兼容，因此坚固性是设计中固有的，而不是事后才想到的。该项目的一个重要组成部分是对本科生、研究生和博士后的培训，他们将学习核威胁探测的所有知识，从中子和带电粒子与物质的基本相互作用，到灵敏度和辐射硬度的测试设备，任何地方的学生都很少有机会获得这一机会。作为培训的一部分，我们将开发一系列课程，可在高年级本科生/研究生水平教授，或作为核探测工作人员的短期课程。德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校和亚利桑那州立大学已经合作开发这些大面积的热中子探测器，并与陆军研究实验室密切合作。原型将在亚利桑那州立大学的柔性显示中心制造，为实现这项技术提供了一条途径。