Solar cell neutron dosimeters using screen-printed B₄C, LiF, and Gd₂O₃ converter-films

Abstract Neutron dosimeters were demonstrated by combining solar cells such as InGaP, Cu(In, Ga)Se 2 (CIGS), and Si solar cells, and screen-printed neutron converter-films such as B 4 C, LiF, and Gd 2 O 3 films. In the dosimeters, 10 B, 6 Li, 155 Gd, and 157 Gd convert neutrons to charged particles for neutron detection. The induced current proportional to neutron flux was obtained in the solar cells with the converter-films, indicating that the dosimeter can be used as a neutron flux monitor. Furthermore, the sensitivity was greater with Si cell than that with InGaP and CIGS cells in any converter-films. In particular, the sensitivity in the Gd 2 O 3 film was improved more than 10 times by using the Si cell compared to InGaP cell. These results were probably due to the small carrier collection length of the InGaP and CIGS cells compared to the flight range of charged particles emitted by neutron absorption in converter films.