Synthesis and characterization of lanthanide fluorides for forensic neutron detection

Lanthanide fluorides have many uses, and there is a need for high quality nanocrystals to fill this need. Here, the synthesis and characterization of high quality lanthanide fluorides is presented. In particular, this dissertation focuses on dysprosium fluoride doped with ytterbium, to eventually be used as a forensic and clandestine neutron detector material. There is a need for neutron detectors that have no sensitivity to any other type of radiation and can be used as a forensic tool to go back and look at an event. There is the further requirement that such detectors be hard to detect by those being monitored. To this end, here is proposed that a detector which can exploit the transmutation properties of dysprosium could be used in such an environment. This concept does not require real time monitoring, or electronics to record events, making it an excellent candidate for this application.

Name thesis:degree_name

Nanoscience and Microsystems

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nanoscience and Microsystems

Year

2016

Author dc:creator

• RIVERA, ANTONIO

Contributors dc:contributor

• Osinski, Marek
• Hecht, Adam
• Brenner, Igal
• Busch, Robert

• Neutron counters--Materials.
• Dysprosium
• Rare earth fluorides

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/nsms_etds/18

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalrepository.unm.edu:nsms_etds-1017