A feasibility study of a SiC sandwich neutron spectrometer

The object of this work is the development of a semiconductor sandwich neutron spectrometer composed of a 6LiF converter placed between two 4H–SiC Schottky diodes. In particular, the diodes construction, alpha detection characterization and preliminary neutron radiation damage tests are described, in order to evaluate the capability of the detector to work in harsh environments characterized by high neutron fluence rate. A theoretical determination of the optimal converter thickness and an analysis of the detection efficiency of the spectrometer at different neutron energies are performed with Monte Carlo simulations.

► The design of a SiC sandwich neutron spectrometer for harsh environments is described.
► It is composed of a thin 6LiF converter placed between two 4H–SiC Schottky diodes.
► The realization of the diodes and their electrical characterization were described.
► Some alpha detection and fast neutron irradiation tests were performed.
► A simulation of the spectrometer response was done with the MCNPX code.