Stable lithium could lead to new class of neutron detectors

According to researchers at Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory, the new material could be integrated into a handheld device for field inspections or incorporated into current wall-sized devices that monitor trucks for radioactive contraband. The study appears in Nature.

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"People have imagined semiconductor neutron detectors for a long time," said Northwestern's Mercouri Kanatzidis, who led the research. "The idea was there, but no one had the right material to do it."

Heavy elements like uranium and plutonium eject neutrons from their nuclei as they decay. Most neutron detectors are scintillators that sense ejected neutrons and emit light to alert the user. In contrast, the new material detects electrical signals induced by the neutrons.

Lithium has been touted as a promising material for neutron detecting devices as it is excellent at absorbing neutrons but integrating the element into a semiconductor and making it stable has presented challenges.