Neutron Detectors
(Neutron sensitive Imaging Tubes and Cameras)
Neutron sensitive cameras
Direct neutron detection by means of Boron-doped microchannel plates, down to spatial resolution of ~50 µm, and without compromising spatial resolution with detection efficiency.
These tubes are built in the same robust way as our UV detectors for military applications. However, they lack the presence of a photocathode, and detect neutrons directly by the interaction with the electron-amplifying element, the microchannel plate. This plate is doped with a neutron absorber, so that the absorption of a neutron triggers an electron avalanche. These avalanches form the image at a phosphor screen output in exactly the same way as in a night vision tube. The microstructure of the MCP allows a thicker converter without losing the spatial resolution, because the avalanche is laterally confined by the ~10 µm thin channels.
