Neutron detector based on lithiated sol–gel glass

A neutron detector technology is demonstrated based on 6Li/10B doped sol–gel glass. The detector is a sol–gel glass film coated silicon surface barrier detector (SBD). The ionized charged particles from (n, α) reactions in the sol–gel film enter the SBD and are counted. Data showing that gamma-ray pulse amplitudes interfere with identifying charged particles that exit the film layer with energies below the gamma-ray energy is presented. Experiments were performed showing the effect of 137Cs and 60Co gamma rays on the SBD detector. The reaction product energies of the triton and alpha particles from 6Li are significantly greater than the energies of the Compton electrons from high-energy gamma rays, allowing the measurement of neutrons in a high gamma background. The sol–gel radiation detection technology may be applicable to the characterization of transuranic waste, spent nuclear fuel and to the monitoring of stored plutonium.