Domino® Neutron Detector: A Compact Solid-State Solution for Modern Neutron Detection The Domino® Neutron Detector delivers high-efficiency neutron detection in a compact, low-power solid-state design. Learn how this innovative technology is redefining neutron measurement for research, industry, and security applications. Rethinking Neutron Detection Neutron detection is essential in research, security, and industrial applications. Traditional detectors often rely on helium-3 gas — a material that has become scarce and costly. These detectors are also bulky and power-hungry, making them less ideal for portable or scalable systems. The Domino® Neutron Detector introduces a new approach. Built on Microstructured Semiconductor Neutron Detector (MSND®) technology, Domino provides a compact, efficient alternative that consumes only 1.7 mW of power while maintaining up to 50% thermal neutron detection efficiency in the latest stacked V6.1 model. View Product Page What Makes the Domino® Unique? Each Domino module features a 4 cm² active area and can be stacked or tiled to expand detection coverage. The modular design allows system engineers to scale performance by simply adding detectors without redesigning their entire setup. Also, the elimination of high voltage providing only low power requirements helps extend battery life of portable instruments. At its core, the Domino uses a lithium-6 neutron conversion process embedded within microstructured semiconductor cavities. When a neutron interacts with lithium-6, the resulting charged particles produce an electric signal that can be accurately measured. This design maximizes efficiency while minimizing size and complexity. Integrated electronics — including a preamplifier, shaping amplifier, discriminator, ADC, temperature sensor, and voltage regulator — simplify deployment and minimize the need for external amplification hardware. Advantages of Solid-State Neutron Detection High Efficiency: Up to 50% thermal neutron detection efficiency for the V6.1 model (30% for earlier versions). Low Power: Consumes approximately 1.7 mW (V6.1) or 0.3 mW (V5.4). Compact Form Factor: 28.5 × 43.4 × 6.3 mm, weighing only 13 grams. Durable Design: No pressurized gases or fragile components. Easy Integration: 2.9–5.5 V input range and standard Samtec connectors. Applications Across Industries The Domino® Neutron Detector supports a wide range of professional applications: Portable Neutron Instruments: Eliminates the need for high voltage and all signal processing as the output is a digital signal. Neutron Generators: Provides real-time neutron yield monitoring and feedback control. Research Beamlines: Enables precise thermal neutron counting in compact experimental setups. Homeland Security: Integrates into border screening and radiation monitoring systems. Industrial Monitoring: Used for personnel safety, soil moisture measurement, and process control. Academic Research: Simplifies neutron detection experiments for education and laboratory use. Performance and Design Considerations Domino detectors deliver exceptional performance under demanding conditions. Each unit provides: Thermal neutron efficiency up to 50% ±1% at 20°C. Gamma rejection ratio better than 2×107 at 50 mR/h (Cs-137). Low noise with 2 cps/nv ± 0.07 cps/nv sensitivity. Operating range from −40°C to +55°C. For certain neutron sources such as Cf-252, optimal moderation is achieved with 3–4 cm HDPE in front and 3–6 cm behind the MSND® sensor. Comparing Detector Technologies Traditional helium-3 detectors are reliable but expensive and require high voltage. Scintillator and boron-10 detectors are alternatives, though they often sacrifice efficiency or stability. In contrast, the Domino’s solid-state MSND® design provides: Compact, rugged operation without pressurized gases. Low-voltage and low-power requirements. High neutron sensitivity and superior gamma discrimination. Integrating Domino into Your System Integration is straightforward. Each module connects using standard Samtec TMM-110 and SQT-110 connectors for power and data. Multiple modules can be cascaded or tiled in a one-dimensional array for higher count rates or larger coverage areas. Domino’s integrated electronics output a digital signal (2.7 V LV-CMOS) suitable for direct interfacing with most control systems. Accessories such as the USB driver board and custom electronic readouts are also available for quick lab testing and application-specific integration. The Future of Neutron Detection The shift toward solid-state neutron detectors is reshaping radiation instrumentation. The Domino® Neutron Detector stands at the forefront of this transition — combining compact design, high efficiency, and low power consumption in one versatile module. Whether used in research, defense, or industrial monitoring, the Domino offers an unmatched balance of performance and practicality for modern neutron detection challenges. Visit the Domino Product Page References Radiation Detection Technologies, Inc. — Domino® V6.1 & V5.4 Specification Sheets Rotunda Scientific Technologies — Domino® Neutron Detector Product Page RadiaShield Technologies — Domino V5.40 General Specification Sheet Starfire Industries — nGen® 350 Integration Example U.S. Department of Energy — Helium-3 Shortage and Alternative Detector Reports This article was written in part with the assistance of AI to help organize, summarize, and reference publicly available information.
