Integration of a 6LilnSe2 thermal neutron detector into a CubeSat instrument

Joanna C. Egner; Michael Groza; Arnold Burger; Keivan G. Stassun; Vladimir Buliga; Liviu Matei; Julia G. Bodnarik; Ashley C. Stowe; Thomas H. Prettyman

doi:10.1117/1.JATIS.2.4.046001

8 November 2016 Integration of a ⁶LilnSe₂ thermal neutron detector into a CubeSat instrument

Joanna C. Egner, Michael Groza, Arnold Burger, Keivan G. Stassun, Vladimir Buliga, Liviu Matei, Julia G. Bodnarik, Ashley C. Stowe, Thomas H. Prettyman

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Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, Vol. 2, Issue 4, 046001 (November 2016). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.2.4.046001

Abstract

We present a preliminary design for a neutron detection system that is compact, lightweight, and low power consuming, utilizing the CubeSat platform making it suitable for space-based applications. This is made possible using the scintillating crystal lithium indium diselenide (⁶LilnSe₂), the first crystal to include ⁶Li in the crystalline structure, and a silicon avalanche photodiode. The schematics of this instrument are presented as well as the response of the instrument to initial testing under alpha radiation. A principal aim of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of such a neutron detection system within a CubeSat platform. The entire end-to-end system presented here is 10×10×15 cm³, weighs 670 g, and requires 5 V direct current at 3 W.

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Joanna C. Egner, Michael Groza, Arnold Burger, Keivan G. Stassun, Vladimir Buliga, Liviu Matei, Julia G. Bodnarik, Ashley C. Stowe, and Thomas H. Prettyman "Integration of a ⁶LilnSe₂ thermal neutron detector into a CubeSat instrument," Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems 2(4), 046001 (8 November 2016). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.2.4.046001

Published: 8 November 2016

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