Compact thermal neutron sensors for moderator-based neutron spectrometers.

In the framework of the NESCOFI@BTF project of the Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics, different types of active thermal neutron sensors were studied by coupling semiconductor devices with a suitable radiator. The objective was to develop a detector of small dimensions with a proper sensitivity to use at different positions in a novel moderating assembly for neutron spectrometry. This work discusses the experimental activity carried out in the framework of the ERINDA program (PAC 3/9 2012) to characterise the performance of a thermal neutron pulse detector based on (6)Li.