Year
2010
Abstract
Detectors in nuclear processes can be exposed to very high radiation levels, elevated temperatures, and caustic environments. There are very few materials which can withstand these conditions. The inherent properties of diamond (large band gap, radiation hardness, optical transparency, large saturated carrier velocities, and low atomic number) indicate that it may be an ideal candidate as a neutron detector material for harsh conditions in nuclear processes. Carbon-based detectors and diamond sensor technology, have a lengthy history. However in the past, these devices encountered restricted usage due to technological limitations or poor experimental reproducibility. Recent technological progress on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthetic diamond films, detonation nanometer size diamond (DND) particles, electrical and structural modification via dopants have open new doors for ultra-sensitive harsh environment resistance applications such as special nuclear verification on nuclear facilities. Diamond detectors may be applicable to arms control, trans-uranic waste characterization, material safeguards technologies, sensitive nuclear detection, and inspection safeguards tools for the new generation of nuclear reactors. These applications collectively require instruments that can sensitively detect uranium and plutonium isotopes under challenging conditions. This paper reviews the history and recent improvements to diamond detector technology. Experimental data of radiation effects on diamond such as fast neutron and gamma irradiation are presented. Resistance to harsh environment, fast response, and general ruggedness are only a few of the advantages of solid-state, diamond-based detectors.