Large area thermal neutron detectors for security applications

This report details the research and development of a novel class of large area thermal neutron
detector, developed specifically for the application of cargo screening. Based broadly on a
laminar scintillation device, developed by Barton et al, using ZnS and Li6F, the new detector
achieves a comparable level of performance to standard 3He tubes, but only employs readily
available components and none isotopically enriched chemicals, thereby offering a low cost
solution to the problem caused by restrictions in the supply of 3He