Detection of nuclear reactions are accomplished through use of a solid-state detector that uses a hexagonal boron nitride configuration. Metallized areas for the hexagonal boron nitride have a metallized top and bottom area that is pixelated.

Detection of nuclear reactions are accomplished through use of a solid-state detector that uses a hexagonal boron nitride configuration. Metallized areas for the hexagonal boron nitride have a metallized top and bottom area that is pixelated.

A method of forming a radiation detector includes forming a stack including a plurality of arrays of radiation detection devices. Forming an array of the plurality of arrays includes forming a polysilicon layer over an interlayer dielectric layer of another array of the plurality of arrays; forming charge storage layers over the polysilicon layer; forming a second polysilicon layer over the charge storage layers; etching the second polysilicon layer to form gate stacks; and depositing an interlayer dielectric disposed on at least three sides of the gate stacks, the interlayer dielectric including a radiation reactive material.

A neutron imaging system includes a neutron generator, a flight tube, a stage, a neutron imaging module, and a neutron shield. The flight tube enables neutrons from the neutron generator to enter the flight tube through an input opening and exit through an output opening. The stage supports a sample object to receive neutrons that pass through the entire length of the flight tube and the output opening. The neutron imaging module has a neutron-sensitive component that receives neutrons that pass through the sample object and generates neutron detection signals. The neutron shield surrounds at least a portion of the flight tube and the neutron imaging module to block at least a portion of stray neutrons that travel toward the neutron-sensitive component of the neutron imaging module, in which the stray neutrons do not enter the flight tube through the input opening of the flight tube.

A neutron imaging system includes a neutron generator, a flight tube, a stage, a neutron imaging module, and a neutron shield. The flight tube enables neutrons from the neutron generator to enter the flight tube through an input opening and exit through an output opening. The stage supports a sample object to receive neutrons that pass through the entire length of the flight tube and the output opening. The neutron imaging module has a neutron-sensitive component that receives neutrons that pass through the sample object and generates neutron detection signals. The neutron shield surrounds at least a portion of the flight tube and the neutron imaging module to block at least a portion of stray neutrons that travel toward the neutron-sensitive component of the neutron imaging module, in which the stray neutrons do not enter the flight tube through the input opening of the flight tube.

A neutron detector including a plurality of layers of converter material and a plurality of layers of detector material. Each layer of converter material can be immediately adjacent to at least one layer of detector material and each layer of detector material can be immediately adjacent to at least one layer of converter material. The neutron detector may further include a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) that is electrically coupled to the plurality of layers of detector material. A value output by the ROIC may be indicative of a neutron interacting with a layer of converter material from amongst the plurality of layers of converter material.

Solid-state radiation detectors utilizing a film as an alpha detection layer are provided. The detector can include a neutron conversion layer disposed thereon to enable neutron detection. The film can detect alpha particles from the ambient environment or emitted by the neutron conversion layer (if present) so the device can detect alpha particles and/or neutrons. The film can generate electron-hole pairs and can be disposed near a semiconductor material. The film can have a thickness of, for example, at least 100 nanometers.

Solid-state radiation detectors utilizing a film as an alpha detection layer are provided. The detector can include a neutron conversion layer disposed thereon to enable neutron detection. The film can detect alpha particles from the ambient environment or emitted by the neutron conversion layer (if present) so the device can detect alpha particles and/or neutrons. The film can generate electron-hole pairs and can be disposed near a semiconductor material. The film can have a thickness of, for example, at least 100 nanometers.

A target that is irradiated with a charged particle to emit a neutron, an output circuit such as a DC/DC converter that includes a semiconductor element and that outputs voltage during normal operation, and a counter that measures elapsed time with a point in time when the neutron is emitted from the target defined as a starting point are included.

Furthermore, a measurement unit that measures the voltage output from the output circuit, and a calculation unit that calculates time of flight of the neutron based on a time when a measurement voltage value measured by the measurement unit falls below a predetermined threshold value and the elapsed time measured by the counter and that calculates energy of the neutron based on the calculated time of flight are included.

A target that is irradiated with a charged particle to emit a neutron, an output circuit such as a DC/DC converter that includes a semiconductor element and that outputs voltage during normal operation, and a counter that measures elapsed time with a point in time when the neutron is emitted from the target defined as a starting point are included.

Furthermore, a measurement unit that measures the voltage output from the output circuit, and a calculation unit that calculates time of flight of the neutron based on a time when a measurement voltage value measured by the measurement unit falls below a predetermined threshold value and the elapsed time measured by the counter and that calculates energy of the neutron based on the calculated time of flight are included.