Neutron sensitivity of ⁶Li-based suspended foil microstrip neutron detectors using Schott Borofloat® 33 microstrip electrodes

Highlights: • ⁶Li-based suspended foil microstrip neutron detectors simulated using MCNP6. • ⁶Li-based suspended foil microstrip neutron detectors fabricated and tested. • Intrinsic thermal-neutron detection efficiency vertical profiles measured. - Abstract: ⁶Li foils, each 75-µm thick, were positioned between a Schott Borofloat® 33 microstrip electrode and a planar drift electrode to construct suspended foil microstrip neutron detectors. MCNP6 simulations of two detector configurations, one containing a single ⁶Li foil and the other containing five ⁶Li foils, indicated expected maximum intrinsic thermal-neutron detection efficiencies of 18.36% and 54.08%, respectively. For comparison, the intrinsic thermal-neutron detection efficiency as a function of thermal-neutron beam position along the foil span was experimentally measured for both detector configurations. A non-uniform intrinsic thermal-neutron detection efficiency distribution was observed along the span of the ⁶Li foil(s) between the microstrip and drift electrodes. Maximum intrinsic thermal-neutron detection efficiencies of 12.58 ± 0.15% and 29.75 ± 0.26% for the single and five ⁶Li foils were measured, respectively. Gamma-ray rejection ratios of 6.46 × 10⁻⁵ ± 4.32 × 10⁻⁷ and 7.96 × 10⁻⁵ ± 4.65 × 10⁻⁷ were also measured, respectively, for a ¹³⁷Cs exposure rate of 50 mR h⁻¹. All measurements were conducted with the ⁶Li foil(s) contained within a sealed aluminum enclosure pressurized with 10 psig of P-10 gas.