A new 3He-free thermal neutrons detector concept based on the GEM technology

A thermal neutron detector based on the Gas Electron Multiplier technology is presented. It is configured to let a neutron beam interact with a series of borated glass layers placed in sequence along the neutron path inside the device. The detector has been tested on beam both at the ISIS (UK) spallation neutron source and at the TRIGA reactor of ENEA, at the Casaccia Research Center, near Rome in Italy. For a complete characterization and description of the physical mechanism underlying the detector operation, several Monte Carlo simulations were performed using both Fluka and Geant4 code. These simulations are intended to help in seeking the optimal geometrical set-up and material thickness (converter layer, gas gap, sheet substrate) to improve the final detector design in terms of achieving the best detector efficiency possible.