RADIATION PROTECTION ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5): 445-458.

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Research progress and prospects of direct semiconductor neutron detectors

WANG Linjing1, WANG Chuan2, LI Hua1,3, LI Deyuan1, CHEN Faguo1,3, LIU Liye1, ZHANG Pengpeng1   

  1. 1. China Institute for Radiation Protection, Taiyuan 030006;
    2. Nuclear Power Operations Research Institude, Shanghai 200126;
    3. Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Nuclear Drug and Transformation and Precision Protection, Taiyuan 030006
  • Received:2024-11-18 Online:2025-09-20 Published:2026-01-14

Abstract: Direct semiconductor neutron detectors have significant advantages such as small volume, theoretical detection efficiency of 100%, and simple device structure, making them a key direction for the future development of semiconductor neutron detectors. Currently, novel materials with distinct neutron response capabilities suitable for fabricating direct-type semiconductor neutron detectors include h-BN, LiInSe2 and LiInP2Se6. This paper provides a detailed review of the latest advancements in research on direct semiconductor neutron detectors based on h-BN, LiInSe2 and LiInP2Se6. The review includes the following aspects: crystal growth, characterization and optimization of growth processes; electrical properties of crystals and carrier transport capability; detector structure design and neutron detection performance testing. This paper also summarizes the current research status and development trends, and offers an outlook on the future of direct semiconductor neutron detectors.

Key words: direct semiconductor neutron detectors, crystal growth, electrical properties, device structure, neutron detection performance

CLC Number: 

  • TL816