Search

SABRE (Sodium-iodide with Active Background REjection) is a direct dark matter search experiment based on an array of radio-pure NaI(Tl) crystals surrounded by a liquid scintillator veto. Twin SABRE experiments in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres will differentiate a dark matter signal from seasonal and local effects. The experiment is currently in a Proof-of-Principle (PoP) phase, whose goal is to demonstrate that the background rate is low enough to carry out an independent search for a dark matter signal, with sufficient sensitivity to confirm or refute the DAMA result during the following full-scale experimental phase. The impact of background radiation from the detector materials and the experimental site needs to be carefully investigated, including both intrinsic and cosmogenically activated radioactivity. Based on the best knowledge of the most relevant sources of background, we have performed a detailed Monte Carlo study evaluating the expected background in the dark matter search spectral region. The simulation model described in this paper guides the design of the full-scale experiment and will be fundamental for the interpretation of the measured background and hence for the extraction of a possible dark matter signal., Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures

Main text In 2017, comparisons of activity measurements of 18F, 64Cu, 99mTc and 11C using the Transfer Instrument of the International Reference System (SIRTI) took place at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO, Australia). Ampoules containing 18F, 64Cu and 99mTc solutions were measured in the SIRTI for about 1.7 to 4 half-lives. The ANSTO carried out the primary standardization of the activity in the ampoules by 4π(LS)β—γ coincidence measurements. The comparisons, identifiers BIPM.RI(II)-K4.F-18, BIPM.RI(II)-K4.Cu-64 and BIPM.RI(II)-K4.Tc-99m are linked to the corresponding BIPM.RI(II)-K1.F-18, BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Cu-64 and BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Tc-99m comparisons. The BIPM.RI(II)-K1 18F and 99mTc key comparison reference values have been updated to include the latest BIPM.RI(II)-K4 linked results and degrees of equivalence for those three comparisons have been evaluated. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

We report on response of newly designed 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diode (SBD) detector to alpha, beta and gamma particles. In order to optimize SiC SBD detector’s thermal neutron efficiency, it’s of particular importance to understand its behavior in various radiation fields. The optimal size of the SBD is limited by degradation of electronic properties, and consequently their charge particle detection. We have manufactured diodes up to 3 x 3 mm active surface area to study those properties in correlation with increasing of detector size. Approximately 25 µm thick epitaxial layer is grown on SiC substrate by chemical vapor deposition, which is sufficient to stop alpha particles up to 6.8 MeV. Different active volume sizes of the detector based have been electrically characterized and exposed to radiation fields of alpha, beta and gamma particles. Extensive studies of the detector response to the various alpha emitters in the 3.27 MeV to 8.79 MeV energy range have been carried out. Results presented here demonstrate not only excellent linear response of the different detector active area to alpha particles, but also shows linear response to gamma particles. The detectors show a linear energy response, high charge collection efficiency and high energy resolution for the alpha particle energies bellow 6.7 MeV which is in a correlation with the range of charged particles in epitaxial layer of our detectors. Electrical characteristics of the detectors were assessed by temperature dependent current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements as well as by Laplace DLTS characterization of the electrically active defects. Ideality factor of the diodes is found to be in the range of 1.01 to 1.02 and free carrier concentration is in the range of 3x1014 cm-3 to 4.5x1014 cm-3. Co-60 and Cs-137 gamma radiations were carried out in Ruđer Bošković Institute’s Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory with the air kerma rates up to 77 mGy/min., The 7th International Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications (ANIMMA2021)

In the last two decades we have assisted to a rush towards finding a 3He-replacing technology capable of detecting neutrons emitted from fissile isotopes. The demand stems from applications like nuclear war-head screening or preventing illicit traffic of radiological materials. Semiconductor detectors stand among the strongest contenders, particularly those based on materials possessing a wide band gap like silicon carbide (SiC). We review the workings of SiC-based neutron detectors, along with several issues related to material properties, device fabrication and testing. The paper summarizes the experimental and theoretical work carried out within the E-SiCure project (Engineering Silicon Carbide for Border and Port Security), co-funded by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme. The main goal was the development of technologies to support the fabrication of radiation-hard silicon carbide detectors of special nuclear materials. Among the achievements, we have the development of successful Schottky barrier based detectors and the identification of the main carrier life-time-limiting defects in the SiC active areas, either already present in pristine devices or introduced upon exposure to radiation fields. The physical processes involved in neutron detection are described. Material properties as well as issues related to epitaxial growth and device fabrication are addressed. The presence of defects in as-grown material, as well as those introduced by ionizing radiation are reported. We finally describe several experiments carried out at the Jozef Stefan Institute TRIGA Mark II reactor (Ljubljana, Slovenia), where a set of SiC-based neutron detectors were tested, some of which being equipped with a thermal neutron converter layer. We show that despite the existence of large room for improvement, Schottky barrier diodes based on state-of-the-art 4 H -SiC are closing the gap between gas- and semiconductor-based detectors regarding their sensitivity.

In 2016, the “E-SiCure” project (standing for “Engineering Silicon Carbide for Border and Port Security”), funded by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme was launched. The main objective is to combine theoretical, experimental and applied research towards the development of radiation-hard SiC-based detectors of special nuclear materials (SNM), with the end goal to enhance border and port security barriers. Prototype neutron detectors, configured as 4H-SiC-based Schottky barrier diodes, were developed for the detection of secondary charged particles (tritons, alphas and lithium atoms) which are the result of thermal neutron reactions on 10B and 6LiF layers above the surface of the 4H-SiC diodes. We designed a stand-alone prototype detection system, consisting of a preamplifier, shaping amplifier and a multichannel analyser operated by a laptop computer, for testing of neutron detector prototypes at the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) TRIGA reactor using a broad beam of reactor neutrons. The reverse bias for the detector diode and the power to electronic system were provided by a standalone battery-powered voltage source. The detector functionality was established through measurements using an 241Am alpha particle source. Two dedicated experimental campaigns were performed at the JSI TRIGA reactor. The registered pulse height spectra from the detectors, using both 10B and 6LiF neutron converting layers, clearly demonstrated the neutron detection abilities of the SiC detector prototypes. The computed neutron detection sensitivity of the single prototype detectors demonstrates that scaling SiC detectors into larger arrays, of dimensions relevant for border and port radiation detectors, could enable neutron sensitivity levels matching gas-based detector technology.

We report the response of newly designed 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diode (SBD) detector prototype to alpha and gamma radiation. We studied detectors of three different active area sizes (1 &times, 1, 2 &times, 2 and 3 &times, 3 mm2), while all detectors had the same 4H-SiC epi-layer thickness of approximately &micro, m, sufficient to stop alpha particles up to 6.8 MeV, which have been used in this study. The detector response to the various alpha emitters in the 3.27 MeV to 8.79 MeV energy range clearly demonstrates the excellent linear response to alpha emissions of the detectors with the increasing active area. The detector response in gamma radiation field of Co-60 and Cs-137 sources showed a linear response to air kerma and to different air kerma rates as well, up to 4.49 Gy/h. The detector response is not in saturation for the dose rates lower than 15.3 mGy/min and that its measuring range for gamma radiation with energies of 662 keV, 1.17 MeV and 1.33 MeV is from 0.5 mGy/h&ndash, 917 mGy/h. No changes to electrical properties of pristine and tested 4H-SiC SBD detectors, supported by a negligible change in carbon vacancy defect density and no creation of other deep levels, demonstrates the radiation hardness of these 4H-SiC detectors.

In 2016, the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme funded research project ”Engineering Silicon Carbide for Border and Port Security” — E-SiCure was launched, its objective being the development of radiation-hard silicon carbide (SiC) based detectors of special nuclear materials (SNM), with the aim to enhance border and port security barriers. Detector prototypes based on SiC Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBDs) and neutron converter films were developed. This paper presents the results of a dedicated experimental testing campaign performed at the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) TRIGA reactor in which several SiC detector prototypes equipped with 10 B and 6 LiF converter films were irradiated in the Dry Chamber of the reactor. The obtained results demonstrate a clearly measurable neutron response, which varies linearly with the neutron flux. The measured particle spectra from the SiC detectors exhibit a clear structure, attributable to the nature and energy of secondary particles originating as reaction products from nuclear reactions involving 10 B and 6 Li isotopes. The determined sensitivity of the detectors, their active volume being 1 mm × 1 mm × 25 μ m , 1 mm × 1 mm × 69 μ m and 1 mm × 1 mm × 170 μ m , was of the order of 2 × 10−5 counts per second, per unit of neutron flux [counts s−1 per n cm−2s−1] (for neutron energies between 0 and 5 eV). Scaling the detection sensitivity by a factor of 1 0 5 , i.e. to an array with a surface of around 20 cm × 2 m, comparable to large B F 3 or 3 He detectors, would theoretically enable an overall sensitivity of around 2 counts s−1 per n cm−2s−1, which is already comparable to typical neutron sensitivity values of gas detectors, in the range from several to over 100 counts s−1 per n cm−2s−1. Due to its outstanding tolerance to harsh environments (including high temperatures and radiation fields) and superior electronic properties when compared to other semiconductors, SiC is a promising base material for the fabrication of solid-state detectors with stable and long life-time. Improvements in sensitivity combined with the capability of fabricating large modules (SiC arrays), could make SiC an important detection technology, applicable also in the context of border and port security barrier monitoring.

Developing new state-of-the-art, low-cost and radiation hard detectors is an extremely difficult challenge which can be tackled only by a multisciplinary group of scientists and engineers from various fields having access to different infrastructure.

Technetium-99m was standardised by the 4π(LS)ce-γ coincidence extrapolation method. Sensitivity of the 4π(LS) channel to two types of radiation, namely conversion electrons and γ-rays, resulted in incorrect activity values being obtained when this was not adequately accounted for. Measurements were more robust when the LS detection efficiency was optimised, and when a γ-window setting was used that monitored the combined LS efficiency for conversion electrons and γ-rays. The primary standard was internationally compared through participation in the BIPM.RI(II)-K4.Tc99m key comparison.

In 2016, the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme funded research project "Engineering SiliconCarbide for Border and Port Security" — E-SiCure was launched, its objective being the development ofradiation-hard silicon carbide (SiC) based detectors of special nuclear materials (SNM), with the aim to enhanceborder and port security barriers. Detector prototypes based on SiC Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBDs) and neutronconverter films were developed. This paper presents the results of a dedicated experimental testing campaignperformed at the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) TRIGA reactor in which several SiC detector prototypes equippedwith10B and6LiF converter films were irradiated in the Dry Chamber of the reactor. The obtained resultsdemonstrate a clearly measurable neutron response, which varies linearly with the neutron flux. The measuredparticle spectra from the SiC detectors exhibit a clear structure, attributable to the nature and energy ofsecondary particles originating as reaction products from nuclear reactions involving10B and6Li isotopes.The determined sensitivity of the detectors, their active volume being 1 mm×1 mm×25μm, 1 mm×1 mm×69μmand 1 mm×1 mm×170μm, was of the order of 2×10−5counts per second, per unit ofneutron flux [counts s−1per n cm−2s−1] (for neutron energies between 0 and 5 eV). Scaling the detectionsensitivity by a factor of105, i.e. to an array with a surface of around 20 cm×2 m, comparable to largeBF3or3He detectors, would theoretically enable an overall sensitivity of around 2 counts s−1per n cm−2s−1,which is already comparable to typical neutron sensitivity values of gas detectors, in the range from severalto over 100 counts s−1per n cm−2s−1. Due to its outstanding tolerance to harsh environments (including hightemperatures and radiation fields) and superior electronic properties when compared to other semiconductors,SiC is a promising base material for the fabrication of solid-state detectors with stable and long life-time.Improvements in sensitivity combined with the capability of fabricating large modules (SiC arrays), couldmake SiC an important detection technology, applicable also in the context of border and port security barriermonitoring.

We report on the development and demonstration of a single pixel spectroscopic gamma-ray imaging concept based on the principles of compressed sensing. Compressive gamma-ray images were obtained for both point sources and complex extended sources. The reconstruction of images at different photon energies allowed the spatial mapping of different radionuclides. When compared to traditional aperture based gamma-ray imaging techniques, the point source images were generated with ten times fewer measurements. More complex extended source images were generated with up to three times fewer measurements. Gamma-ray imaging techniques designed around the principles of compressed sensing have the potential to exploit the sparsity typically found in gamma-ray images, leading to a new class of fast and low cost imaging systems.

In 2016, the ”E-SiCure” project (standing for Engineering Silicon Carbide for Border and Port Security), funded by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme, was launched. The main objective is to combine theoretical, experimental and applied research towards the development of radiation-hard SiC-based detectors of special nuclear materials (SNM), and by that way, to enhance border and port security barriers. Along the plan, material modification processes are employed firstly to study, and secondly to manipulate the most severe electrically active defects (which trap or annihilate free charge carriers), by specific ion implantation and defect engineering. This paper gives an overview of the experimental activities performed at the JSI TRIGA reactor in the framework of the E-SiCure project. Initial activities were aimed at obtaining information on the radiation hardness of SiC and at the study of the energy levels of the defects induced by neutron irradiation. Several Schottky barrier diodes were fabricated out of nitrogen-doped epitaxial grown 4H-SiC, and irradiated under Cd filters in the PT irradiation channel in the JSI TRIGA reactor with varying neutron fluence levels. Neutron-induced defects in the material were studied using temperature dependent current-voltage (I-V), capacitance-voltage (C-V) and Deep-Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) measurements. Our prototype neutron detectors are configured as 4H-SiC-based Schottky barrier diodes for detection of secondary charged particles (tritons, alphas and lithium atoms) which are result of thermal neutron conversion process in 10B and 6LiF layers above the surface of the 4H-SiC diodes. For field testing of neutron detectors using a broad beam of reactor neutrons we designed a standalone prototype detection system consisting of a preamplifier, shaping amplifier and a multichannel analyser operated by a laptop computer. The reverse bias for the detector diode and the power to electronic system are provided by a standalone battery-powered voltage source. The detector functionality was established through measurements using an 241Am alpha particle source. Two dedicated experimental campaigns were performed at the JSI TRIGA reactor. The registered pulse height spectra from the detectors, using both 10B and 6LiF neutron converting layers, clearly demonstrated the neutron detection abilities of the SiC detector prototypes.

The charge transport properties of a high-purity CdMnTe (CMT) crystal have been measured at room temperature down to a micron-scale resolution. The CMT crystal, doped with indium, was grown by the vertical Bridgman technique. To reduce the residual impurities in the Mn source material, the growth process incorporated a five-times purification process of MnTe by a zone-refining method with molten Te solvent. The resulting 2.6 mm thick crystal exhibited an electron mobility-lifetime product of μnτn=2.9 × 10-3 cm2V-1. The velocity of electron drift was calculated from the rise time distribution of the preamplifier's output pulses at each measured bias. The electron mobility was extracted from the electric field dependence of the drift velocity and at room temperature it has a value of μn=(950±90) cm2/Vs. High-resolution maps of the charge collection efficiency have been measured using a scanning microbeam of 5.5 MeV 4He2+ ions focused to a beam diameter

This paper presents the growth, fabrication and characterization of indium-doped cadmium manganese telluride (CdMnTe) crystals grown by the vertical Bridgman technique. The 10 × 10 × 1.9 mm3 samples have been fabricated, and the charge collection properties of the CdMnTe detectors have been measured. Alpha-particle spectroscopy measurements have yielded an average charge collection efficiency approaching 100%. Ion beam induced charge (IBIC) measurements have been performed by raster scanning focused 5.5 MeV 4He beams onto the detectors. Spatially resolved charge collection efficiency maps have been produced for a range of detector bias voltages. Inhomogeneities in the charge transport of the CdMnTe crystals have been associated with chains of Te inclusions within the detector bulk, and the reduction in charge collection efficiency in their locality has been quantified. It has been shown that the role of Te inclusions in degrading charge collection is reduced with increasing values of bias voltage. IBIC measurements for a range of low biases have highlighted the evolution of the charge collection uniformity across the detectors.

Since 1991 ANSTO's ion beam analysis (IBA) laboratory has been sampling fine atmospheric particles every Wednesday and Sunday at urban and rural sites in New South Wales. Multi-elemental accelerator-based IBA techniques were used to characterise major components and significant trace elements with minimum detectable limits close to 1 ng/m3. Observed mass concentrations will be compared with air quality US EPA standards and proposed Australian fine particle NEPM guidelines. Trace elements strongly associated with source fingerprints responsible for high air pollution will also be discussed in this paper.

Growth, fabrication and characterization of indium-doped cadmium manganese telluride (CdMnTe) radiation detectors have been described. Alpha-particle spectroscopy measurements and time resolved current transient measurements have yielded an average charge collection efficiency approaching 100 %. Spatially resolved charge collection efficiency maps have been produced for a range of detector bias voltages. Inhomogeneities in the charge transport of the CdMnTe crystals have been associated with chains of tellurium inclusions within the detector bulk. Further, it has been shown that the role of tellurium inclusions in degrading charge collection is reduced with increasing values of bias voltage. The electron drift velocity was calculated from the rise time distribution of the preamplifier output pulses at each measured bias. From the dependence of drift velocity on applied electric field the electron mobility was found to be μn = (718 ± 55) cm2/Vs at room temperature.

Nuclear milli and microprobes at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) were used to determine lead accumulation in native Australian plants and animals. Three species of eucalypt plants (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus lesouefii), one species of salt bush (Atriplex burbhanyana) and one species each of acacia (Acacia saligna) and estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) were investigated. Experimentally grown plants were subjected to a nutrient solution with a pH of 5 and spiked with a 200 μmol concentration of Pb. Lead concentrations in leaves of both E. globulus and E. camaldulensis showed an almost exponential decrease from the base of the main vein to the tip. Similarly, Pb concentrations decreased from the main vein to secondary veins. Concentrations of essential elements such as K, Fe, Zn and Br in the main and secondary veins were constant within experimental uncertainty. In contrast, the concentrations of Pb in the leaf veins of E. lesouefii were much lower and showed no systematic pattern. In stem and root samples the highest concentration of Pb was found in roots and stem of E. globulus and A. burbhanyana followed by E. camaldulensis. Some Pb was found in roots of A. saligna and only very low concentration in stem of the same plant. More detailed analysis of thin cross-sectional samples of roots and stem showed that Pb is present in much higher concentration in the growth area of the plant structure (i.e. meristemic region) and in relatively low concentration within the pith region and outer cortex. The osteoderms (dermal bones) of estuarine crocodiles, exposed to lead ammunition in food from the hunting activities of traditional Aboriginal owners, were sampled at two sites in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia. PIXE analyses showed enhanced, but relatively constant, ratios of Pb/Ca in the annual laminations. This was consistent with both their history of long term exposure to elevated anthropogenic Pb sources and the hypothesis that the osteoderm can be used as an archive of the crocodile's exposure to Pb during its life.

Charge transport characteristics of Cd0.95Mn0.05Te: In radiation detectors have been evaluated by combining time resolved current transient measurements with time of flight charge transient measurements. The shapes of the measured current pulses have been interpreted with respect to a concentration of net positive space-charge, which has resulted in an electric field gradient across the detector bulk. From the recorded current pulses the charge collection efficiency of the detector was found to approach 100%. From the evolution of the charge collection efficiency with applied bias, the electron mobility-lifetime product of μnτn = (8.5 ± 0.4) × 10−4 cm2/V has been estimated. The electron transit time was determined using both transient current technique and time of flight measurements in the bias range of 100–1900 V From the dependence of drift velocity on applied electric field the electron mobility was found to be μn = (718 ± 55) cm2/(V.s) at room temperature.

The behavior of haematite was studied in a boiling water loop operating at pressures up to 5.7 MPa. Nucleate boiling, induced at different temperatures and pressures, increased the deposition of haematite on heated surfaces, with both deposition and boiling increasing downstream of the onset of boiling. Deposition rate constants at boiling surfaces ranged from 7 to 200 μm s−1 and averaged 60 μm s−1, and on nonboiling surfaces they ranged from 4 to 50 μm s−1 and averaged 15 μm s−1. Release rates of corrosion products (crud) from isothermal surfaces were calculated in the range 0.3 to 3 μg m−2 s−1. The behavior of crud deposits during cleaning provided further evidence of the consolidation of deposits with time, temperature and, possibly, bulk boiling.

The SABRE (Sodium-iodide with Active Background REjection) experiment is a new detector based on NaI(Tl) scintillating crystals for the dark matter detection through the annual modula- tion. With ultra-pure crystals and an active veto system, based on liquid scintillator surrounding the crystal array, SABRE will reach unprecedented low background and the highest sensitivity among the present NaI(Tl) experiments. Moreover SABRE will be the first dark matter search with twin detectors located in the North and South hemispheres, in Gran Sasso National Labora- tories (LNGS), Italy, and Stawell Underground Laboratories (SUPL), Australia, respectively. The double location will help to quantify possible seasonal effects, and is a unique feature to identify a modulation of dark matter origins. SABRE is presently in the Proof-of-Principle (PoP) phase, with the goal to measure the crystal intrinsic and cosmogenic backgrounds of one 5 kg crystal and the active veto efficiency. We have performed a full geometry Monte Carlo simulation in order to evaluate the background contributions in the two distinct operation modes foreseen for the PoP: the potassium Measurement Mode (KMM) and the Dark Matter Measurement Mode (DMM), where the liquid scintillator detector is used in coincidence or anti-coincidence with the crystal, respectively. This paper presents the results of a detailed background simulation and the expected sensitivity for the SABRE full scale experiment.