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Amorphous,
Silicon-Based Neutron Detector--Midwest
Optoelectronics, LLC,
Dr.
Liwei Xu, Principal Investigator, mwow@mwoe.com
Dr.
Liwei Xu, Business Official, mwow@mwoe.com
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83718
Amount:
$100,000
Various
large-scale neutron sources, including those already built or to be constructed,
are important for materials and life science research. For
all these neutron sources, neutron detectors are a very important aspect. However,
a high-performance and low-cost neutron beam monitor, that provides time and
temporal resolution, is lacking. This
project will develop a pixilated, reliable, durable, fully-packaged neutron
detector. The device will be
based on an amorphous silicon material, will use a double-junction p-i-n/n-i-p
design to provide X-Y pixilation, and will be fabricated using a high-yield,
low-cost method. Phase I will
fabricate a proof-of-concept neutron beam monitor for neutron detection, using
ECVD/Evaporation/Sputtering for various semiconductor junction and metal
contacting layers. A boron layer
will be evaporated on top of the layered structure to convert neutrons into
alpha particles, which could be detected by a Si-based p-i-n diodes.
Commercial Applications and Other
Benefits
as described by awardee: The
technology should lead to a high-performance, low-cost, X-Y pixilated neutron
beam monitor that could be used in all neutron facilities worldwide. In
addition, the technology could be used to develop X-ray and neutron monitors for
future use in security checks at airports and other critical facilities.