Optimization of a 6LiF bolometric neutron detector

The optimization of a 6LiF bolometer for neutron spectroscopy applications has been accomplished with a series of 12 different detectors. This type of detector is similiar to X-ray bolometers, which have been extensively studied, and the absorber has a high neutron capture cross-section. Each bolometer was irradiated with alpha particles to investigate its response to thermal pulses. The best resolution obtained with this series of bolometers was 39 keV FWHM at 5.3 MeV. One of the bolometers was calibrated with monoenergetic neutrons, and its thermal properties are derived from measurements over a range of temperatures. We discuss the considerations involved in optimizing a 6LiF bolometer for different types of neutron applications.