SiC neutron detectors: enhancing the dynamic range through partial depletion operation

Publication date: 31 Mar 2026

JournalSource: OPENALEXOpenAlex type: articleOpen Access
Authors: M.H. Kushoro, G Croci, Erik Gallo, Francesco La Via, S. Loreti, E. Perelli Cippo, Marica Rebai, D. Rigamonti, Miriam Saleh, Marco Tardocchi, Letizia Giulietta Tedoldi, S. Tudisco, M. Nocente

Abstract Silicon Carbide (SiC) detectors are promising candidates for neutron diagnostics in fusion environments, where instruments must endure intense neutron and gamma fluxes, high temperatures, and restricted accessibility. Partial depletion operation enables online control of detector efficiency by varying the applied bias voltage, thereby tuning the response to adapt to the widely changing neutron fluxes expected in future Tokamak experiments. In this work, the functionality of two 4H-SiC detectors with different thicknesses (100 μ m and 250 μ m) is investigated under partial depletion conditions. Measurements are performed with 2.5 MeV and 14 MeV neutrons produced at the Frascati Neutron Generator and benchmarked against Geant4 simulations. Results show that detector efficiency can be predictably controlled within a factor of five without degrading energy resolution. Full depletion in the 100 μ m device was reached at lower voltages than expected, possibly due to doping variations or irradiation effects. These findings confirm the potential of partial depletion as a tool for real-time tuning of SiC detector response, with significant implications for neutron diagnostics in future fusion reactors.

Origin
Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Volume
68
Issue
4
Pages
045024
Cited by
0