STUDY OF AN INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC MONITOR FOR NEUTRON FIELDS

The majority of the individual neutron monitors measure incorrectly in a certain energy range (10 keV-500 keV). For electronic devices, this problem is due to their high gamma sensitivity. To solve this problem a microelectronic detector design for neutron spectrometry is now bei ng studied at LEPOFI. It is based on the measurement of the total ener gy which is deposited by Li-6 (n, alpha) H-3 or B-10 (n, alpha) Li-7 r eactions in silicon detectors. A new electronic sensor-for example a b oron or lithium sandwich device - has been developed in collaboration with LAAS. Specific techniques for silicon sensor coating with boron h ave been developed and are briefly presented. The response of the dete ctor has been computed using a model and a code developed at LEPOFI. S everal parameters have been taken into account in the calculations: th e type of layer, its thickness, the characteristics of the detector. T he results of these simulations are discussed and calculated pulse hei ght distributions for various designs are presented. The present statu s of the investigation only concerns thermal neutrons.