Göttingen 2025 – scientific programme

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ST: Fachverband Strahlen- und Medizinphysik

ST 5: Detector Physics

ST 5.1: Talk

Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 16:15–16:30, ZHG003

Neutron Dosimetry with Diamond Sensors — •Jennifer Schlüß¹, Christian Bäumer², Kevin Kröninger¹, and Jens Weingarten¹ — ¹TU Dortmund University — ²West German Proton Therapy Center Essen

Neutron dosimetry is increasingly important in proton therapy, as neutron emissions provide valuable information on energy deposition within the body. However, neutron dosimetry presents challenges due to the complex interaction characteristics of neutrons. Diamond detectors offer a promising approach, as natural carbon-12 captures fast neutrons (E_kin > 6.2 MeV) and emits detectable alpha particles directly within the diamond sensor. This makes diamond detectors exclusively sensitive to fast neutrons. Enhancing the detector’s sensitivity to both fast and thermal neutrons is a key objective. To achieve thermal neutron detection, we propose coating the diamond sensor with a converter layer, such as ⁶LiF, with a high thermal neutron absorption cross-section. Using the Geant4 simulation platform, we examined neutron interactions and energy deposition in the detector, with simulations covering both thermal and fast neutron interactions to assess the response under different neutron energy ranges. Simulation results indicate that a ⁶LiF-coated diamond sensor effectively measures both thermal and fast neutrons. A prototype is ready for initial neutron flux measurements in proton therapy, with further testing planned to fully characterize its detection capabilities across the neutron spectrum.

Keywords: neutron dosimetry; diamond; proton therapy