Timepix-Based detectors for fast and thermal neutrons: development and potential applications

by Antonella Tamburrino (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

Wednesday 3 Dec 2025, 14:30 → 16:30 Europe/Rome

Aula Salvini (Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati)

Optimizing plasma performance and stability in controlled thermonuclear fusion studies, particularly in Tokamaks, requires accurate diagnostics of both fast and thermal neutrons. 

In this context the novel “Diamondpix” detector is presented. It is a novel pixelated diamond detector for fast neutron monitoring that combines a Timepix3 (TPX3) readout chip with a 10 x 10 mm² polycrystalline diamond (500 μm thick).

The integration of the TPX3 chip offers significant advantages, enabling simultaneous pixel-wise counting, charge measurement, and time-stamping with high temporal resolution (1.6 ns). Compared to conventional single-channel diamond detectors, Diamondpix enables track recognition analysis of typical reactions exploited in the diamond, allowing for effective discrimination of neutrons from background radiation in high-radiation environments. Its capabilities in identifying neutron interactions in the 1–20 MeV energy range have been demonstrated through measurements at the n_TOF facility at CERN and the FNG facility at ENEA Frascati.

For thermal neutron detection, a complementary TPX3-based system was developed using a CdTe TPX3 detector coupled with a ⁶LiF film converter, tested at the HOTNES facility.

The talk will also present additional TPX3-based detection systems with promising applications in radiation protection, as demonstrated by preliminary results from radon decay product measurements and the evaluation of ¹⁰B concentration and spatial distribution in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, highlighting the versatility of this technology.

Locandina_TAMBURRINO.docx