SBIR Phase II: Novel Solid-State Cerenkov Detector for Portable and Wearable Neutron Radiation Sensors

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是有可能将颠覆性中子探测器技术推向市场，满足对实时、便携式和可穿戴辐射探测器的迫切需求。创新的Cerenkov硼硅酸盐玻璃（CBSG）技术的成功商业化将为核检测和验证行业的广泛客户群提供服务。市场研究表明，其规模潜力巨大，达到数十亿美元。目前，该市场的伽马射线和x射线探测设备很好，但便携式和可穿戴中子探测器的能力还没有很好地建立起来。拟议的技术将缩小这一差距，预计将产生非常广泛的影响。切伦科夫探测器技术还可以为中子成像和门户探测器提供新型定向阵列，有助于使国家边境更加安全，防止非法核材料，并为核保障和核查提供改进的工具。这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目旨在将一种基于100%固态技术的创新中子探测器模块商业化。该项目的总体目标是建立在第一阶段/IB阶段成功的切伦科夫硼硅酸盐玻璃（CBSG）探测器原型的基础上，开发一种小型、低成本、模块化的中子探测器，可以与现有的伽马探测器技术集成，以形成一个全面的、可扩展的、网络化的解决方案，解决特殊核材料探测问题；2)使廉价的内部和第三方中子探测技术集成到放射性同位素鉴定装置和个人辐射剂量计中；3)允许与定向中子探测器网络、直接快中子探测器和中子光谱学相关的进一步测试和先进产品开发。研究目标包括对探测器前端材料对中子辐射的响应进行全面的定量评估，并评估其光电特性。特别是，与特种玻璃制造商合作，将优化玻璃前端的同位素组成，以用于快中子探测。预期的结果是一种新颖的破坏性中子探测方法。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the potential to bring a disruptive neutron detector technology to market, filling an urgent demonstrated need for real time, portable and wearable radiation detectors. Successful commercialization of the innovative Cerenkov BoroSilicate Glass (CBSG) technology will serve a broad customer base in the nuclear detection and verification industry. Market research indicates large scale potential, in the billions of dollars. This market is currently well served with gamma ray and x-ray detection devices, but the capabilities for portable and wearable neutron detectors are not as well established. The proposed technology will close this gap and is anticipated to have a very broad impact. The Cerenkov detector technology can also be transformative in enabling new kinds of directional arrays for neutron imaging and portal detectors, helping to make the nation's borders more secure against illicit nuclear materials and providing improved tools for nuclear safeguards and verification.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to commercialize an innovative neutron detector module based 100% on solid-state technology. The overall objective of the project is to build on the successful Cerenkov BoroSilicate Glass (CBSG) detector prototyping in Phase I/IB to develop a small, low cost, modular neutron detector which can be integrated with existing gamma detector technologies to 1) form a comprehensive, scalable, networked solution to the problem of Special Nuclear Material detection; 2) enable inexpensive in-house and third party integration of neutron detection technology into radioisotope identification devices and personal radiation dosimeters; and 3) allow for further testing and advanced product development relating to directional neutron detector networks, direct fast neutron detectors, and neutron spectroscopy. The research objectives include a thorough quantitative assessment of the detector front-end material response to neutron radiation and evaluation of its optoelectronic characteristics. In particular, in collaboration with a specialty glass manufacturer, the isotopic composition of glass front-end will be optimized for fast neutron detection. The anticipated result is a novel and disruptive neutron detection approach.