Seminar: Status and Prospects of Neutron Imaging Sensor Technology

Eric Lukosi, PhD, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

All dates for this event occur in the past.

Scott Laboratory
Scott Laboratory
Room E141
201 W 19th Ave
Columbus, OH 43210
United States

Abstract

Current neutron imaging facilities commonly utilize either scintillation screens or boron-doped microchannel plates (MCP) as the neutron converter. Scintillation screens are cheap and relatively easy to implement, but are limited in both their spatial resolution and/or frame rate (i.e., the CCD). The spatial resolution of boron-doped MCPs are limited by the available density of readout pixels, but also fundamentally limited by the diameter of the pores of the MCP. To fully exploit the brightness and energy spectrum of current neutron sources, such as LANSE and SNS, neutron imaging systems require several advancements. Specifically, the simultaneous requirements that must be met include a 100% neutron detection efficiency, sub-microsecond timing, high dynamic range, neutron-gamma discrimination <10-6, and a spatial resolution approaching 1 micrometer. This presentation will cover the foundation of neutron imaging, current neutron imaging systems, and recent advances in sensor designs aimed at meeting the strict requirements outlined. Special attention will be given to the development of lithium indium diselenide neutron sensor substrates to meet most or all of these grand challenges.

 

About the speaker

Eric Lukosi earned his BS in physics and astronomy from Benedictine College in 2007. At the University of Missouri, he focused on nuclear plant operations, earning a MS in 2008. Lukosi finished his formal education in 2012 while he investigated diamond-based neutron sensor technology. After earning his PhD, he joined the faculty of the Nuclear Engineering Department at the University of Tennessee. During his time as an assistant professor, Lukosi has focused on the development of sensors for a variety of scientific disciplines. He is part of three international collaborations, including the International RD42 Collaboration at CERN, focusing on the development of 3D diamond sensors, and PIRE-GEMADARC through a collaborative evaluation of germanium crystal purity, required for neutrinoless double beta decay experiments utilizing 56Ge. Currently, Lukosi is working on the development of several new sensors, including organometallic lead halide perovskites for radioisotope identification devices.

 

Hosted by Prof. Raymond Cao.