Capture-gated Spectroscopic Measurements of Monoenergetic Neutrons with a Composite Scintillation Detector

Nattress, J.; Mayer, M.; Foster, A. M.; Meddeb, Amira Barhoumi; Trivelpiece, Cory L.; Ounaies, Zoubeida; Jovanovic, Igor

doi:10.1109/tns.2016.2537761

Cited by 13 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Such peak broadening has also been witnessed in a previous measurement that used a monoenergetic DD neutron source (2.45 MeV) [17]. As discussed earlier, this feature of the spectrum is a consequence of the variation of the scattering sequence prior to neutron capture.…”

Section: Thermalization Light Output Spectra From Tof Measurementsupporting

confidence: 69%

“…Based on the spectroscopic characterization presented here and Ref. [17], a strong dependence between the neutron energy and the thermalization light output is observed in the composite detector, suggesting a potential for multiple functions in one single detector, including reliable neutron counting and neutron spectroscopy. Although the EJ-290 scintillator employed in the composite detector does not exhibit PSD capability, future detector design using moderation material with PSD capability will be beneficial for rejection of accidental coincidences of gammas with neutron captures, leading to more accurate neutron spectroscopy.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…In order to obtain the proton light output function, an iterative method was used and aided by Geant4 simulation of the thermalization sequence to obtain the best fit to the peak locations of the light output spectra from the TOF measurement and previously conducted measurements with monoenergetic neutron sources (DD, 2.45 MeV and DT, 14.1 MeV) [17]. First, the proton light output function was parametrized via the Birks semi-empirical formula [12].…”

Section: Dependence Of Light Output On Neutron Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…with >99% of the capture events having a diffusion time <50 μs [17]. Therefore, an inter-event timing gate of 50 μs, along with the pulse shape consistent with the event taking place in the EJ-290 scintillator, were used to select the thermalization events that precede the neutron capture pulses.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Simulated ratio of the neutron energy deposition at the time of capture to its incident energy in the EJ-290 scintillator for neutrons incident from a 252 Cf fission source. In the Geant4 simulation, the geometry and material composition of the fabricated composite scintillator were used[17]. A point source with 252 Cf fission spectrum was directed at the side of the detector.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neutron spectroscopy by thermalization light yield measurement in a composite heterogeneous scintillator

Shi

Nattress

Mayer

et al. 2016

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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An exothermic neutron capture reaction can be used to uniquely identify neutrons in particle detectors. With the use of a capture-gated coincidence technique, the sequence of scatter events that lead to neutron thermalization prior to the neutron capture can also be used to measure neutron energy. We report on the measurement of thermalization light yield via a time-of-flight technique in a polyvinyl toluene-based scintillator EJ-290 within a heterogeneous composite detector that also includes 6 Li-doped glass scintillator. The thermalization light output exhibits a strong correlation with neutron energy because of the preference for near-complete energy deposition prior to the 6 Li(n,t) 4 He neutron capture reaction. The nonproportionality of the light yield from nuclear recoils contributes to the observed broadening of the distribution of thermalization light output. The nonproportional dependence of the scintillation light output in the EJ-290 scintillator as a function of proton recoil energy has been characterized in the range of 0.3-14.1 MeV via the Birks parametrization through a combination of time-of-flight measurement and previously conducted measurements with monoenergetic neutron sources.

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Section: Thermalization Light Output Spectra From Tof Measurementsupporting

confidence: 69%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 54%

Section: Dependence Of Light Output On Neutron Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Neutron spectroscopy by thermalization light yield measurement in a composite heterogeneous scintillator

Shi

Nattress

Mayer

et al. 2016

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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Detectors in Active Interrogation

Pozzi

Erickson

Jovanovic

2018

Active Interrogation in Nuclear Security

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Development and operation of a 6LiF:ZnS(Ag)—scintillating plastic capture-gated detector

Wilhelm

Nattress

Jovanovic

2017

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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We report on the design, construction, and operation of a capture-gated neutron detector based on a heterogeneous scintillating structure comprising two scintillator types. A flat, 500 μm thick sheet composed of a mixture of lithium-6-fluoride capture agent, 6 LiF, and zinc sulfide phosphor, ZnS(Ag), is wrapped around scintillating polyvinyl toluene (PVT) in a form of cylinder. The 6 LiF:ZnS(Ag) sheet uses an aluminum foil backing as a support for the scintillating material and as an optical reflector, and its optical properties have been characterized independently. The composite scintillator was tested using 252 Cf, DD fusion, 137 Cs, and 60 Co sources. The intrinsic detection efficiency for neutrons from an unmoderated 252 Cf source and rejection of gammas from 137 Cs were measured to be 3.6% and 10 −6 , respectively. A figure of merit for pulse shape discrimination of 4.6 was achieved, and capture-gated spectroscopic analysis is demonstrated.

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Capture-gated Spectroscopic Measurements of Monoenergetic Neutrons with a Composite Scintillation Detector

Cited by 13 publications

References 39 publications

Neutron spectroscopy by thermalization light yield measurement in a composite heterogeneous scintillator

Neutron spectroscopy by thermalization light yield measurement in a composite heterogeneous scintillator

Detectors in Active Interrogation

Development and operation of a 6LiF:ZnS(Ag)—scintillating plastic capture-gated detector

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