Boron-10 lined RPCs for sub-millimeter resolution thermal neutron detectors: Feasibility study in a thermal neutron beam

TL;DR

This study explores the feasibility of using a boron-10 lined resistive plate chamber as a high-resolution, position-sensitive thermal neutron detector, demonstrating promising efficiency and spatial resolution in a beam test.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental feasibility assessment of a boron-10 lined RPC for thermal neutron detection with sub-millimeter spatial resolution.

Findings

Detection efficiency of approximately 6.2% at 2.5 Å neutron wavelength.

Spatial resolution better than 0.5 mm FWHM.

Successful demonstration of a hybrid RPC with boron-10 converter layer.

Abstract

The results of an experimental feasibility study of a position sensitive thermal neutron detector based on a resistive plate chamber (RPC) are presented. The detector prototype features a thin-gap (0.35 mm) hybrid RPC with an aluminium cathode lined with a 2 ${\mu}$m thick $^{10}B{_4}C$ neutron converter layer enriched in $^{10}B$ and a float glass anode. A detection efficiency of ${\approx}$ 6.2 ${\%}$ was measured for the neutron beam (${\lambda}$ =2.5 ${\AA}$) at normal incidence. A spatial resolution better than 0.5 mm FWHM was demonstrated.