3D Detectors for neutron imaging with embedded electronics.

The 3D technology, used for particle tracking, features electrodes penetrating inside the silicon bulk. While keeping a high carrier collection efficiency in heavily irradiated detectors, this configuration minimizes the detector dead border region. Solid-state sensors fabricated with 3D technologies and coupled to different neutron converter materials have been developed as direct replacement of 3He gas detectors. The Deep 3D neutron detector concept is presented. The design of this new microstructured thermal neutron sensor, coupled to a Medipix readout chip and featuring a good efficiency with a reduced process complexity, is discussed along with selected results from characterization studies with radioactive sources.