Binderless composite scintillator for neutron detection

• US 7,501,077 B1
• Filed: 08/28/2006
• Issued: 03/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
• Original Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
• Inventors: Hodges, Jason P., Crow, M. Lowell Jr., Cooper, Ronald G.
• Primary Examiner(s): KOSLOW, CAROL M
• Application Number:
  US11/467,625
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 250/390.11, 252/301.4 F, 252/646, 252/625, 252/644, 252/301.4 P, 252/301.4 H
• US Class Current: 252/301.40F
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/3203 Lithium oxide or oxide-forming salts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/3225 Yttrium oxide or oxide-forming salts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/3229 Cerium oxides or oxide-forming salts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/3284 Zinc oxides, zincates, cadmium oxides, cadmiates, mercury oxides, mercurates or oxide forming salts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/3291 Silver oxides
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/3409 Boron oxide, borates, boric acids, or oxide forming salts thereof, e.g. borax
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/3427 Silicates other than clay, e.g. water glass
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/442 Carbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/445 Fluoride containing anions, e.g. fluosilicate
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/446 Sulfides, tellurides or selenides
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/447 Phosphates or phosphites, e.g. orthophosphate or hypophosphite
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/448 Sulphates or sulphites
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2235/656 characterised by specific heating conditions during heat treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/01 based on oxide ceramics
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/16 based on silicates other than clay zircon C04B35/48
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/547 based on sulfides or selenides or tellurides
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/553 based on fluorides
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/7709 Phosphates
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/7774 Aluminates
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/77742 Silicates
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 3/06 : with scintillation detectors

Abstract

Composite scintillator material consisting of a binderless sintered mixture of a Lithium (Li) compound containing ⁶Li as the neutron converter and Y₂SiO₅:Ce as the scintillation phosphor, and the use of this material as a method for neutron detection. Other embodiments of the invention include various other Li compounds.

Claims

1. A composite scintillator comprising;

a binderless sintered mixture of at least one ⁶Li isotope enriched lithium compound selected from the group consisting of LiF, Li₃PO₄ and Li₄SiO₄, and Y₂SiO₅;

Ce phosphor, and

wherein said scintillator detects neutrons.

2. The scintillator of claim 1 wherein said at least one ⁶Li isotope enriched lithium compound includes a eutectic mixture of LiF and Li₃PO₄.

3. A method for producing a neutron detection scintillator comprising the steps of:

(a) mixing at least one ⁶Li isotope enriched lithium compound selected from the group consisting of LiF, Li₃PO₄ and Li₄SiO₄ with a Y₂SiO₅;

Ce phosphor to form a binderless mixture; and

(b) sintering the mixture to form a composite scintillator.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said sintering step is done in an inert atmosphere.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said sintering step further comprises:

(a) pressing said mixture under a force to form said mixture into a pellet,

(b) heating said pellet to a sintering temperature,

(c) holding said pellet at said sintering temperature for a predetermined period of time, and

(d) cooling said pellet to room temperature.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said force is approximately 10,000 lbs per square inch.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said sintering temperature is in the range of approximately 810°

C. to 950°

C.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein said predetermined period of time is approximately 5 minutes.

9. The method of claim 3 wherein said at least one ⁶Li isotope enriched lithium compound is includes a eutectic mixture of LiF and Li₃PO₄.