Neutron detectors
Radiography with fast neutrons
The Physics Institute III B is working on the development of detectors for a neutron radiography system, which will be used for the non-destructive characterization of large-volume objects and for the analysis of material samples in the raw materials industry. An advantage over other analytical methods such as radiography with X-rays is the high penetration capacity of neutrons. With X-rays often only a superficial characterization is possible, while neutrons penetrate deep into materials and thus provide information about the internal composition and structure of a sample.
In our group two detector prototypes have been built so far: a single pixel detector and a neutron camera with 16 pixels. Our prototypes are based on the organic scintillator Stilben, which enables Pulse Shape Discrimination. This scintillator has the special feature that neutron interactions lead to signals with a longer falling edge than e.g. photon interactions. Thus neutrons can be clearly identified. The scintillation light is detected with silicon photomultipliers (SiPM). The experimental work is complemented by important GEANT4 simulations.
We are looking for interested bachelor and master candidates who would like to participate.