Particle Physics Readout Electronics and Novel Detector Technologies for Neutron Science

TL;DR

This paper discusses the adaptation of particle physics detector technologies and readout electronics, such as VMM3a and Timepix3 chips, for advanced neutron detection systems to improve resolution and address Helium-3 shortages.

Contribution

It demonstrates the transfer and application of particle physics readout electronics to neutron detectors, enhancing detection capabilities and resolution.

Findings

Successful integration of VMM3a chip with GEM-based neutron detector

Use of Timepix3 in neutron Time Projection Chamber and Micro-Channel Plate

Enhanced position resolution in neutron detection systems

Abstract

Traditional thermal neutron detectors are based on Helium-3 as conversion and detection material due to its large neutron cross-section. In light of the upgrade and construction of several neutron scattering facilities such as the European Spallation Source (ESS) and a simultaneous shortage of Helium-3, new detection technologies have been introduced. The most prominent one is to use solid converts with a large thermal neutron cross-section such as Gadolinium and Boron. Those materials emit charged particles when hit by a neutron. The technique then relies on detection and/or tracking of the charged particle, as in detectors of particle physics. At the same time, this requires an increase of the readout channels by an order of magnitude with the advantage of also increasing the position resolution by the same amount compared to traditional neutron detectors. A prime example is the Gadolinium Gas Electron Multiplier (GdGEM) detector for the NMX instrument at ESS jointly developed by the CERN Gaseous Detector Group and the ESS Detector Group. In this contribution, some of our efforts to transfer particle physics detectors and readout electronics to neutron science will be presented. We employed the VMM3a chip, originally designed for the ATLAS New Small Wheel upgrade, to read out a GEM-based neutron detector. The Timepix3 chip is employed in a neutron Time Projection Chamber as well as to read out a neutron-sensitive Micro-Channel Plate detector. Those readout chips are integrated into the Scalable Readout System of the RD51 collaboration.