Lithium based scintillators for neutron detection
US8878135B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 2012 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG21K4/00
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A neutron scintillator composite (NSC) is made of a neutron scintillator and a binder. The neutron scintillator of the composite has the formula LiyMgBry+2, where y=2, 4 or 6 and may further comprise cerium as a scintillation activator. The binder of the composite has an index of refraction substantially identical to that of the neutron scintillator. The neutron scintillator and binder are mixed into a solid or semi-solid neutron scintillator composite having sufficient flowability for molding into a shaped article, such as a neutron sensing element of a radiation detector. The neutron scintillator composite collects and channels photons through the material itself and into a photosensing element optically coupled to the composite. Because the indices of refraction for both the neutron scintillator and the binder are substantially identical, scattering at the scintillator-binder interface(s) is minimized, thereby producing transmission efficiencies that approach single crystals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.