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Pino F, Delgado JC, Carturan SM, Mantovani G, Polo M, Fabris D, Maggioni G, Quaranta A, Moretto S. Novel flexible and conformable composite neutron scintillator based on fully enriched lithium tetraborate. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4799. [PMID: 36959323 PMCID: PMC10036633 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31675-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Thermal neutron detection is a key subject for nuclear physics research and also in a wide variety of applications from homeland security to nuclear medicine. In this work, it is proposed a novel flexible and conformable composite thermal neutron scintillator based on a fully enriched Lithium Tetraborate preparation ([Formula: see text]Li[Formula: see text]B[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]) combined with a phosphorescent inorganic scintillator powder (ZnS:Ag), and is then distributed into a polydimethylsiloxane matrix. The proposed scintillator shows a good neutron detection efficiency (max. [Formula: see text] 57% with respect to the commercial EJ-420), an average light output of [Formula: see text] 9000 ph/neutron-capture, a remarkable insensitivity to [Formula: see text]-rays (Gamma Rejection Ratio <10[Formula: see text]), and an extraordinary flexibility, so as to reach extremely small curvature radii, down to 1.5 mm, with no signs of cracking or tearing. Its characteristics make it suitable to be employed in scenarios where non-standard geometries are needed, for example, to optimize the detector performance and/or maximize the detection efficiency. Finally, the response of a hybrid detector made of a plastic scintillator, wrapped with the proposed scintillator, coupled to a silicon photomultiplier array is described, and the excellent discrimination between [Formula: see text]-rays, fast and thermal neutrons resulting from data processing is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Pino
- Department of Physics and Astronomy "Galileo Galilei", University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
- Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, INFN, Legnaro, Italy.
| | - Jessica Carolina Delgado
- Department of Physics and Astronomy "Galileo Galilei", University of Padova, Padua, Italy
- Department of Physics and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sara Maria Carturan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy "Galileo Galilei", University of Padova, Padua, Italy
- Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, INFN, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Giorgia Mantovani
- Department of Physics and Astronomy "Galileo Galilei", University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Polo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Povo, Italy
- Padova Section, INFN, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Gianluigi Maggioni
- Department of Physics and Astronomy "Galileo Galilei", University of Padova, Padua, Italy
- Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, INFN, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Alberto Quaranta
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Povo, Italy
- TIFPA-Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications, INFN, Povo, Italy
| | - Sandra Moretto
- Department of Physics and Astronomy "Galileo Galilei", University of Padova, Padua, Italy
- Padova Section, INFN, Padua, Italy
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Performance of borated scintillator screens for high-resolution neutron imaging. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-022-08477-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe most commonly used screens for neutron imaging consist of 6LiF + ZnS. This type of screen yields the highest light output per detected neutron. For high resolution, gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS, Gadox) screens are employed, which have a much higher detection efficiency, but a light output so much lower than LiF + ZnS that measurements are often limited by photon statistics. Historically, screens using boron as a neutron-sensitive material have not been very successful. However, a new preparation method was introduced recently that produces light output higher than Gadox with detection efficiency greater than LiF + ZnS. Measurements of these new borated screens were performed at the NeXT facility at ILL, Grenoble, in comparison to a high resolution Gadox screen.
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Bareiß KU, Bette S, Enseling D, Jüstel T, Schleid T. Extraordinary intense blue Tl + lone-pair photoluminescence from thallium(I) chloride hydroborate Tl 3Cl[B 12H 12]. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:13331-13341. [PMID: 35983885 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt01867e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Microcrystalline powder of previously unknown thallium(I) chloride hydroborate Tl3Cl[B12H12] was obtained through the reaction of thallium(I) oxocarbonate Tl2[CO3] with an aqueous solution of (H3O)2[B12H12] in the presence of chloride anions. Tl3Cl[B12H12] crystallises in a primitive, orthorhombic lattice with the space group Pnma (a = 835.189(7) pm, b = 970.132(8) pm and c = 1597.912(12) pm for Z = 4) showing a distorted hexagonal anti-perovskite type arrangement of the ions. The structure features two thallium sites with mixed coordination spheres consisting of borate related hydrogen atoms and chloride anions with coordination numbers of eleven and thirteen. Tl3Cl[B12H12] shows strong excitation bands at 240 and 260 nm attributed to the 1S0 → 3P2 and 1S0 → 3P1 interconfigurational transitions of the Tl+ 6s2 cations, respectively. The emission spectrum at 300 K upon VUV excitation exhibits a broad band at 440 nm with a quantum efficiency of 41%. In addition, temperature-dependent emission spectra, colour points, reflectance, decay time, thermal quenching curve and radioluminescence spectra for Tl3Cl[B12H12] were determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin U Bareiß
- Institute for Inorganic Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Bette
- Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Heisenbergstraße 1, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - David Enseling
- Department of Chemical Engineering, FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, Stegerwaldstraße 39, 48565 Steinfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Jüstel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, Stegerwaldstraße 39, 48565 Steinfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Schleid
- Institute for Inorganic Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
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