Development of a novel neutron detection technique by using a boron layer coating a Charge Coupled Device

This article describes the design features and the first test measurements obtained during the installation of a novel high resolution 2D neutron detection technique. The technique proposed in this work consists of a boron layer (enriched in ${^{10}}$B) placed on a scientific Charge Coupled Device (CCD). After the nuclear reaction ${^{10}}$B(n,$\alpha$)${^{7}}$Li, the CCD detects the emitted charge particles thus obtaining information on the neutron absorption position. The above mentioned ionizing particles, with energies in the range 0.5-5.5 MeV, produce a plasma effect in the CCD which is recorded as a circular spot. This characteristic circular shape, as well as the relationship observed between the spot diameter and the charge collected, is used for the event recognition, allowing the discrimination of undesirable gamma events. We present the first results recently obtained with this technique, which has the potential to perform neutron tomography investigations with a spatial resolution better than that previously achieved. Numerical simulations indicate that the spatial resolution of this technique will be about 15 $\mu$m, and the intrinsic detection efficiency for thermal neutrons will be about 3 %. We compare the proposed technique with other neutron detection techniques and analyze its advantages and disadvantages.