Passage of Fast Neutrons Through the Crystal Structure of Textured CVD Diamond

The passage of fast neutrons through the crystal structure of a textured diamond obtained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD diamond) is studied. Neutrons with an energy of 2.45 MeV from the DD reaction and with an average energy of about 2 MeV from the 252Cf isotope are used as neutron sources. The neutrons are detected by two independent methods: using proportional counters filled with 3Не and a paraterphenyl-based scintillation detector. The measurements show that the neutron-flux incident on the detector depends on the orientation of the target. In the case of isotropic samples containing diamond and carbon, such effects are not observed. A possible explanation for the effect is the channeling of deuterium ions and neutrons in channels of textured CVD diamond.