Spectra of fast neutrons using a lithiated glass film on silicon

Experimental results of a neutron detector manufactured by coating a silicon charged particle detector with a film of lithiated glass are presented. The silicon surface barrier detector (SBD) responds to the 6Li(n, alpha)triton reaction products generated in the thin film of lithiated glass entering the SBD. Neutron spectral information is present in the pulse height spectrum. An energy response is seen that clearly shows that neutrons from a Pu–Be source and from a deuterium–tritium (D–T) pulsed neutron generator can be differentiated and counted above a gamma background. The significant result is that the fissile content within a container can be measured using a pulsed D–T neutron generator using the neutrons that are counted in the interval between the pulses.