Speaker
Description
We present characterization of a high efficiency multi-element neutron dosemeter, which is built upon the THick Gas Electron Multiplier (THGEM) technology. The multi-element design enables high neutron detection efficiency and is therefore ideal for building tissue-equivalent proportional counters (TEPC) for taking microdosimetric measurements in weak neutron fields. Unlike traditional TEPCs, the THGEM is better suited for constructing multi-element TEPCs, as its lack of an anode wire structure greatly simplifies fabrication and assembly. Following the development of our first version THGEM multi-element detector, consisting of twenty-one gaseous sensitive volumes, we recently developed a second version with ninety-five sensitive volumes. Comprehensive experiments to characterize its signal and dosimetric performance are currently underway using the $^{238}$PuBe and $^7$Li(p,n) neutron sources at the McMaster accelerator laboratory. The experimental results of the new detector in terms of neutron dose response and detection efficiency will be presented alongside Monte Carlo simulation results and experimental results from the first version detector.
