Superconducting transition edge bolometer for high-flux neutron detection

Needs for neutron detection and monitoring in high neutron flux environments are increasing in several different fields. A completely solid-state, current mode bolometric detector is constructed as a solid substrate transition edge sensor based on a high-T[Formula: see text] superconducting meander. The detector consists of four individual pixels of which three pixels include ¹⁰B₄C neutron absorption layers. The absorbed energy per neutron absorption reaction is modelled and compared to experimental data. The response of the tested detector is directly correlated to a cold neutron beam with a flux of 1.8 x 10⁸ n/cm² modulated by a slit. The signal is found to be an order of magnitude higher than the thermal background. The dynamics described by the temporal saturation constants is governed by a modulation frequency less than 1 Hz. The thermal response is dynamic and never fully saturates for 50 s exposures. The efficiency for this proof-of-principle design is 1-2%. Possibilities for optimization are identified, that will increase the efficiency to become comparable to existing solid boron-10 detectors. The existing detectors with event-based read-out have limited functionality in high flux environments. The superconducting bolometer described in this work using current-mode readout will pave the way for high flux applications.