Structural and component characterization of the B4C neutron conversion layer deposited by magnetron sputtering

Neutron conversion detectors that use 10B-enriched boron carbide are feasible alternatives to 3He-based detectors. We prepared boron carbide films at micron-scale thickness using direct-current magnetron sputtering. The structural characteristics of natural B4C films, including density, roughness, crystallization, and purity, were analyzed using grazing incidence X-ray reflectivity, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy. A beam profile test was conducted to verify the practicality of the 10B-enriched B4C neutron conversion layer. A clear profile indicated the high quality of the neutron conversion of the boron carbide layer.