Neutron detectors
Radiography and tomography with fast neutrons
The Physics Institute III B is working on the development of detectors for a neutron tomographyy system, which will be used for the non-destructive characterization of larger-volume objects such as material samples in the raw materials industry. An advantage over other analytical methods such as imaging with X-rays is the high penetration depth 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 Stilbene, 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). So far, various radiography test measurements were done, and now we are setting up a test stand for fast neutron tomography. The experimental work is complemented by detailed GEANT4 simulations.
We are looking for interested bachelor and master candidates who would like to participate.