PFI:AIR-TT: Portable Neutron Detector Implementing PIN detectors and Application Specific Circuitry (ASIC)

这个PFI: AIR技术转化项目的重点是基于硅p-i-n二极管耦合10B中子转换层的固态中子探测器的转化研究。低成本、高性能的便携式中子探测器将应用于从国土安全到医疗的各个领域。第一反应者将能够持续监测特殊核材料的存在，提供一个覆盖整个国家的分布式、网络化的探测器阵列，使特殊核材料的移动几乎不可能不被发现。医学物理学家将能够在重离子癌症治疗期间监测中子的产生，以收集有关次级中子长期影响的数据。该技术基于探测器的研究，该探测器显示出13%的固有热中子探测效率。目前，大多数便携式中子探测器都是基于3he填充管。虽然这些探测器多年来一直是核工业的主力，但它们需要高电压，而且易碎、体积庞大、价格昂贵，无法广泛分布。我们需要高效、坚固、低成本、低功耗且可以联网的中子探测器。这个PFI项目包括德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校与德州仪器公司密切合作，开发电子设备，将许多小型固态中子探测器组合成一个阵列，该阵列将以大大降低的成本提供与市售3He探测器相似的性能。这个项目解决了从研究发现到商业应用的几个技术差距。例如，该项目将高效中子探测器元件与高性能信号处理电子元件相结合，这些电子元件由最先进的硅CMOS制成，基于ASIC（专用集成电路），该电路至少有25个通道的预放大和脉冲整形电路，每个1平方厘米的探测器元件有一个通道耦合。这将允许演示一个25平方厘米的固体中子探测器阵列，其性能相当于传统的3He探测器。仿真结果表明，高性能、低噪声电子器件可使热中子本征探测效率达到20%。因为所有的电子元件都集成在一个ASIC中，所以电子元件的成本可以从每个通道使用分立元件的大约1200美元降低到整个阵列的10美元。由于成本大大降低，便携式中子探测器将可用于前所未有的应用。这个项目将支助两名研究生，他们将接受辐射探测器和核电子领域的培训。这很快就会成为一项丢失的技能，需要了解辐射探测器和相关电子设备的下一代工程师和科学家。学生们还将有机会与模拟和混合信号电子学领域的领导者德州仪器公司的工程师和科学家一起工作。这是一个很少有学生能获得的机会。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating research on solid state neutron detectors based on silicon p-i-n diodes coupled with a 10B neutron conversion layer. Low cost, high performance portable neutron detectors will have applications ranging from homeland security to medical treatment. First responders will be able to continuously monitor for the presence of special nuclear materials, providing a distributed, networked array of detectors covering the entire country, making it nearly impossible to move special nuclear materials without being detected. Medical physicists will be able to monitor the production of neutrons during heavy ion cancer treatment to collect data on the long term impact of secondary neutrons. The technology is based on research that resulted in detectors that have shown 13% intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency. Currently, most portable neutron detectors are based on 3He-filled tubes. While these detectors have been the workhorse of the nuclear industry for many years, they require high voltage and they are fragile, bulky, and too expensive to be widely distributed. There is a need for high efficiency neutron detectors that are rugged, low cost, low power and that can be networked together. This PFI program involves the University of Texas at Dallas working closely with Texas Instruments to develop the electronics to tile many small solid state neutron detectors together into an array that will provide performance similar to commercially available 3He detectors at a greatly reduced cost. This project addresses several technology gap(s) as it translates from research discovery toward commercial application. For example, this program will couple highly efficient neutron detector elements with high performance signal processing electronics made from state-of-the-art silicon CMOS, based on an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) that has at least 25 channels of pre-amplification and pulse shaping circuitry, with one channel coupled to each 1 cm2 detector element. This will allow the demonstration of a 25 cm2 solid state neutron detector array with performance equivalent to a conventional 3He detector. Simulations show that the high performance, low noise electronics should enable 20% intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency. Because all of the electronics are combined in one ASIC, the cost of the electronics can be reduced from approximately $1200 using discreet components for each channel, to $10 for the entire array. Because of the greatly reduced cost, portable neutron detectors would be available for applications never before possible. This project will support two graduate students who will be trained in the area of radiation detectors and nuclear electronics. This is quickly becoming a lost skill set and there is a need for the next generation of engineers and scientists that understand radiation detectors and the associated electronics. The students will also have the opportunity to work with engineers and scientists at Texas Instruments, the leader in the field of analog and mixed signal electronics. This is an opportunity to which few students have access.