Study of Gaseous Detectors for Neutron Detection Using THGEMs with Deposited Boron-10

• Grant number: 24/23286-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Elementary Particle Physics and Fields
• Principal Investigator: Edmilson José Tonelli Manganote
• Grantee: Guilherme Vieira Lickel
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/04867-2 - High energy physics and instrumentation with the LHC-CERN, AP.ESP

Abstract

Research and development of new neutron detector technologies are crucial for the scientific community that employs neutron scattering techniques, for the construction of neutron beam facilities at the Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor (RMB) and for the development of human resources in neutron scattering instrumentation techniques.Boron-based thermal neutron detectors have recently regained the attention of the instrumentation community as a strong alternative to helium-3 detectors. Specifically, those based on microstructured gaseous detectors, specifically those that use GEM (Gas Electron Multiplier).In the first stage of this project, Thick-GEM (THGEM) sheets that have received a 10B layer on both sides will be optically and electrically characterized. This process was carried out at ESS (European Spallation Source), with which our colleagues from HEPIC/USP and IPEN maintain collaboration. In a second step, a simulation (using GEANT4) of the behavior of a neutron beam as it passes through the THGEM will be performed. It is necessary to evaluate the degree of scattering that the FR4 (the THGEM is a 0.5 mm thick FR4 plate coated with copper) produces on the neutrons.The experience that the student gained in his/her previous project in handling and testing detectors that use THGEMs will be of fundamental importance for the first part of the project. The second part will offer the student the opportunity to learn and become qualified in an important simulation tool.