A segmented neutron detector based on silicon-pin photodiodes using neutron-proton converters

A segmented neutron detection system based on windowless silicon-PIN photodiodes has been designed and tested with various hydrogen rich converter materials. Each channel from the segmented structure uses an independent custom-made low noise charge sensitive preamplifier and an OPAMP based shaping amplifier. Signals from each channel were digi-tized using a fast, single bit digitizer and the pulses from each channel were simultaneously recorded with an FPGA board. An AmBe neutron source was used for the test measurements and relative neutron detection efficiencies were determined. This low-cost detector can be used for monitoring fast neutrons in reactors, accelerator facilities or medical centers using neutron therapy.