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Gamma-ray rejection, or detection, with gadolinium as a converter
Praneeth Kandlakunta1, Lei Cao
1Nuclear Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, 201 W 19th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|March 22, 2012
Summary
Gadolinium
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Detector Technology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Gadolinium exhibits a high neutron capture cross-section, making it suitable for neutron detection.
- Low-energy electron emission from gadolinium is key for signal generation but can be contaminated by gamma rays.
- The 43.0 keV K-X ray from gadolinium can originate from external gamma rays, complicating neutron detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a gamma-ray discrimination scheme for enhanced neutron detection using gadolinium.
- To explore gadolinium-based thin-film semiconductors for gamma-ray detection.
- To investigate the principle of isolating K-X rays for signal differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Studied a gamma-ray discrimination scheme for neutron detection.
- Investigated gadolinium as a converter material in thin-film semiconductors.
- Focused on separating 43.0 keV K-X rays from other detector signals.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the potential for separating 43.0 keV K-X rays from neutron detection signals.
- Showcased the feasibility of using gadolinium converters for gamma-ray detection.
- Identified a practical method for gamma-ray detection using small semiconductor devices.
Conclusions:
- Gadolinium's K-X rays can be utilized for gamma-ray detection, distinct from neutron detection signals.
- The developed discrimination scheme enhances neutron detection accuracy by rejecting gamma-ray interference.
- Thin-film gadolinium converters offer a promising approach for sensitive gamma-ray detection.
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