Development of a solar cell-based radiation detector

Abstract

Decommissioning preparations, including the research and development of solar cell-based radiation detection devices (SRDs) for reactor-internal radiation monitoring systems, are underway following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. SRDs use the principle of electron–hole pairs generated by the incident radiation energy to output a current to an external circuit by the built-in potential. InGaP, CIGS, CdTe, and HOIP have been selected as candidates for radiation-tolerant solar cells for use in high radiation environments. This report presents the development of a radiation detection system using InGaP solar cells, a dynamic range estimation method using visible light, and work on neutron radiation detection.