Registration of thermal neutrons using two-detector module based on silicon detectors and metallic gadolinium

Abstract

The thermal neutrons were registered using a two-detector module based on two planar Si detectors: with a neutron converter from natural metallic Gd and without a converter. To obtain thermal neutrons we used a 239Pu-Be(α,n) fast neutron source with a paraffin moderator. The measurements were carried out simultaneously by two detectors by processing two channels of registration with a special computer program. In experiments gamma radiation was not suppressed. The conversion electrons of the nuclear reaction Gd(n,γe)Gd were registered. We performed the registration of thermal neutrons with the possibility of subtraction for background radiation.

5 pages, 12 figures