# Development and characterization of detectors for large area application in neutron scattering and small area application in neutron reflectometry

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the development and characterization of advanced neutron detectors, including boron-10 gaseous and solid-state Si-Gd detectors, to improve performance in neutron scattering and reflectometry applications.

## Contribution

It introduces new detector technologies that outperform traditional 3He-based detectors, enhancing resolution, count rate, and background suppression in neutron experiments.

## Key findings

- Boron-10 gaseous detector (Multi-Blade) shows high efficiency and spatial resolution.
- Solid-state Si-Gd detector demonstrates improved signal-to-background ratio.
- Both detectors effectively replace 3He technology in high-performance neutron applications.

## Abstract

Neutron scattering techniques offer a unique combination of structural and the dynamic information of atomic and molecular systems over a wide range of distances and times. The increasing complexity in science investigations driven by technological advances is reflected in the studies of neutron scattering science, which enforces a diversification and an improvement of experimental tools, from the instrument design to the detector performance. It calls as well for more advanced data analysis and modelling. The improvements in resolution, count rate and signal-to-background ratio, achievable with the new instrumentations, also drive the research of alternative technologies to replace the 3He-based detector technology unable to fulfil the requirement of increasing performance. Two solution have been studied: a boron-10-based gaseous detector, the Multi-Blade and a solid-state Si-Gd detector. Both solution are suitable alternatives for neutron detection, able to meet the demands of high performance. It has been shown not only the technical characteristic of the devices, but how the science can profit from the better performance of these new detector technologies in real experimental condition.