Thermal neutron detection by entrapping 6LiF nanocrystals in siloxane scintillators

[摘要] Exploiting the long experience in design and production of scintillating mixtures based on siloxane matrices with combinations of primary dye and waveshifter, a first set of6LiF loaded scintillator disks has been produced. The synthesis is herein described and reported, as well as preliminary results on their light response towards thermal neutrons. The preservation of transparency and mechanical integrity of the scintillator material is challenging when introducing the inorganic salt LiF which is a »foreign body» to the organic polysiloxane host matrix Different strategies such as synthesis of nanoparticles and surface functionalization have been pursued to succeed in the entrapment of the neutron converter whilst maintaining moderate light output, optical transparency and flexibility of the base scintillator.

[发布机构] University of Padova, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Padova, Italy^1;INFN - Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, Italy, Italy^2;Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University Science, Art Faculty Physics Department, Nevsehir, Turkey^3;University of Trento, Department of Industrial Engineering, Trento, Italy^4

[效力级别] 工业技术 [学科分类] 工业工程学

[关键词] Mechanical integrity;Neutron converters;Optical transparency;Polysiloxane hosts;Scintillator materials;Surface Functionalization;Thermal neutrons;Thermal-neutron detection