Detecting Radiation With Perovskite
Perovskites have proven themselves for solar panels. But they can do so much more. A certain perovskite enhanced with gadolinium can function as an effective neutron detector.
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Lately, perovskites have gathered a reputation as a material for advanced solar panels. Their incredible crystalline structure allows them to very effectively convert the energy of photons into electricity. Their effectiveness is getting close to 30 %. But it seems perovskites have bigger goals. László Forró from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and his coworkers used perovskite crystals in their new radiation detector.
The same mechanism that has perovskite generate electricity can be used as a sensor of different types of electromagnetic radiation. When a photon hits the detector electricity is created. Usually, we utilize this effect from visible light but Forró and his coworkers went a bit further and made this mechanism detect neutrons.
Such a detector could be used to detect radiation leaks in nuclear power plants and other places where radioactive material is used. It will also allow us to monitor radioactive materials no matter whether they are being transported legally or illegally.
The researchers used a perovskite-based on methylammonium tribromide and lead (MAPbBr3). When the crystals of this material were exposed to a source of neutrons it created an electric current. The neutrons enter the atoms of the crystals, excite them creating gamma radiation which then produces a measurable electrical current.
Sadly, the research also showed that this current is too weak for practical use. That’s why the scientists improved the perovskite with a layer of gadolinium. The gadolinium excites even further and creates more gamma-ray photons that then create a stronger electrical current. The electricity then flows through a carbon electrode into a measuring device. The newest version of the detector was created by growing the perovskite crystals around a gadolinium foil. In this arrangement, the electrical signal is of high enough quality that it is possible to measure the direction and intensity of the neutron flow.
The biggest benefits are that the perovskite detector is simple, cheap, and effective. All that needs to be done is to construct a powerful neutron detector for practical use.
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