Diamond Radiation Detector with Built-In Boron-Doped Neutron Converter Layer

Herein, a radiation detector made of polycrystalline diamond with a boron (B)-doped neutron converter layer is presented. The detector is fabricated by the hot filament chemical vapor deposition technique, and consists of an undoped free-standing polycrystalline diamond layer and a B-doped polycrystalline diamond top layer that serves as an electrical contact and a converter for neutron-alpha conversion. Characterization of the diamond films and detector operation is presented. The results indicate that the B-doped layer acts as an effective neutron-alpha converter, whereby neutron detection is demonstrated in particle-counting mode using a multichannel analyzer.

Automated summary

The radiation detector made of polycrystalline diamond with a boron-doped neutron converter layer is effective in neutron detection, as demonstrated in particle-counting mode using a multichannel analyzer. The fabrication technique involves hot filament chemical vapor deposition, with the detector consisting of an undoped free-standing polycrystalline diamond layer and a B-doped polycrystalline diamond top layer serving as an electrical contact and a converter for neutron-alpha conversion.