Development of detectors for the monitoring of mixed radiation fields

Scintillators and solid-state radiation detectors play a crucial role in high-energy physics, medical imaging, and clinical dosimetry, where requirements such as radiation hardness, geometric flexibility, and detection efficiency are increasingly demanding. This work presents two complementary developments addressing these challenges through advanced materials and detector design. First, an innovative thermal neutron detection and imaging device based on 3D silicon sensor technology is investigated within the INFN HYDE2 project. The detector features a microstructured geometry with deep cavities filled with neutron converter materials, designed to enhance neutron capture efficiency while maintaining compatibility with pixelated readout electronics. A comprehensive simulation framework combining GEANT4, TCAD Sentaurus, and Allpix$^2$ is employed to optimize the cavity geometry by evaluating neutron capture probability, charge generation, transport, and collection efficiency. The integration of detailed particle interaction modeling with advanced charge transport simulations enables an efficient exploration of detector geometries and accurate estimation of performance metrics. The results provide valuable guidelines for optimizing neutron detection efficiency and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed multiscale simulation approach. In parallel, we report the optical and radioluminescent characterization of a novel 3D-printable nanocomposite scintillator based on a photocurable polymer matrix loaded with metal halide perovskites. The material is fabricated via stereolithography, enabling the realization of complex and patient-specific detector geometries. Optical properties were investigated through spectrofluorimetric analysis and UV–vis transmittance measurements to assess spectral compatibility and transparency in the scintillation-relevant range. Radioluminescence was evaluated under alpha-particle excitation and proton irradiation at different energies, including tests performed under therapeutic proton beams in a clinical environment. Comparative measurements with a commercial plastic scintillator demonstrate promising performance, highlighting the potential of the proposed material for personalized dosimetry and advanced clinical radiation detection. Overall, these studies contribute to the development of next-generation radiation detectors with enhanced performance, adaptability, and applicability in both clinical and scientific environments.