# PSD12: The 12th International Conference on Position Sensitive Detectors

Sep 12 – 17, 2021
University of Birmingham
Europe/London timezone

## Simulations of charge collection of a gallium-nitride-based pin thin-film neutron detector

Sep 15, 2021, 12:51 PM
1m
Teaching and Learning Building (University of Birmingham)

### Teaching and Learning Building

#### University of Birmingham

Edgbaston Campus University of Birmingham B15 2TT UK

### Speaker

Zhongming Zhang (Lancaster University)

### Description

The development of new fast neutron reactors and nuclear fusion reactors requires new neutron detectors in extreme environments. Due to its wide bandgap (3.4 eV) and radiation resistance capability, gallium nitride (GaN) is a candidate for neutron detection in extreme environments. In this study, a GaN-based pin thin-film thermal neutron detector with lithium fluoride (LiF) converter layer is modelled by Geant4. After obtaining the neutron energy deposition distribution in the sensitive volume of the detector, the Hecht equation is used to calculate the charge collection efficiency at different position of the detector under a uniform electric field. In addition, considering charge recombination processes, the Shockley-Ramo theorem is applied to obtain more accurate simulation results. The result of the charge collection simulations is used to study its influence on the californium-252 ($^{252}$Cf) energy spectrum measurement of the detector.

Title Mr Zhongming Zhang Lancaster University z.zhang56@lancaster.ac.uk

### Primary authors

Zhongming Zhang (Lancaster University) Dr Michael Aspinall (Lancaster University)