Large area thermal neutron detectors for security applications

Abstract

This report details the research and development of a novel class of large area thermal neutron detector, developed specifically for the application of cargo screening. Based broadly on a laminar scintillation device, developed by Barton et al, using ZnS and Li6F, the new detector achieves a comparable level of performance to standard 3He tubes, but only employs readily available components and none isotopically enriched chemicals, thereby offering a low cost solution to the problem caused by restrictions in the supply of 3H