Trial for neutron dosimetry from the atomic level by use of Diamond NV centers

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14286
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Nuclear engineering
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: kaneko junichi 北海道大学, 工学研究院, 准教授 (90333624)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): ONODA Shinobu 量研・高崎 (30414569) ; TUBOTA Masakatsu 北海道大学, 工学研究院 (50626124) ; TANAKA Manobu 高エネルギー加速器研究機構 (00222117)
• Research Collaborator: SHIMAOKA Takehiro ; SHINMYO Akihiro ; HIRANO Shintaro ; MIZUKOSHI Tsukasa
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 中性子 / 線量計測 / ダイヤモンド / NVセンター / 原子レベル計測

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated the feasibility of atomic scale neutron dosimetry by measuring NV center in diamond which is generated by fast neutron irradiation and trace nitrogen in crystals by annealing. The sample was prepared by adding a trace amount of nitrogen during synthesis using microwave plasma CVD method. The sample after neutron irradiation or electron beam irradiation showed a strong increase of NV center, and density could not be quantified. NV center was concentrated on the growth surface side. This may be showed that the incorporation of nitrogen was large at the completion of synthesis. In order to perform dosimetry, it is necessary for nitrogen to be incorporated uniformly throughout the sample, so optimization of nitrogen uptake during CVD synthesis is indispensable.

Free Research Field

放射線計測学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では高速中性子によってダイヤモンド中に生成された空孔と微量な窒素をアニールによってNVセンター化することでアトミックスケールの中性子線量計測の実現可能性を実験的に検証した。試料はCVD法により作製した。照射前と比較し、中性子又は電子線照射後の試料はNVセンターの強い増加を示した。定量化までは至らなかったが、本方式によりアトミックスケールの中性子線量計の成立可能性が実験的に示された。