Fast neutron detection with a segmented spectrometer

Langford, T.; Bass, C.D.; Beise, E. J.; Breuer, H.; Erwin, Dylan; Heimbach, C.R.; Nico, J. S.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2014.10.060

Cited by 16 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…The Muon-Induced Neutron Indirect Detection EXperiment (MINIDEX) was designed to provide data on the interactions of cosmic high-energy muons in high-Z materials. Previous measurements are not really consistent [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. Neither are the corresponding calculations [8,9,10,1,11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

The muon-induced neutron indirect detection EXperiment, MINIDEX

Abt

Caldwell

Carissimo

et al. 2017

Astroparticle Physics

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A new experiment to quantitatively measure neutrons induced by cosmicray muons in selected high-Z materials is introduced. The design of the Muon-Induced Neutron Indirect Detection EXperiment, MINIDEX, and the results from its first data taking period are presented as well as future plans. Neutron production in high-Z materials is of particular interest as such materials are used for shielding in low-background experiments. The design of next-generation large-scale experiments searching for neutrinoless double beta decay or direct interactions of dark matter requires reliable Monte Carlo simulations of background induced by muon interactions. The first five months of operation already provided a valuable data set on neutron production and neutron transport in lead. A first round of comparisons between MINIDEX data and Monte Carlo predictions obtained with two GEANT4based packages is presented. The rate of muon-induced events is overall a factor three to four higher in data than predicted by the Monte Carlo packages. In addition, the time evolution of the muon-induced signal is not well described by the simulations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

The muon-induced neutron indirect detection EXperiment, MINIDEX

Abt

Caldwell

Carissimo

et al. 2017

Astroparticle Physics

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“…Two segmented Fast Neutron Spectrometers (FaNS) have been developed at NIST and the University of Maryland, and have been used to further characterize fast neutron backgrounds [42,43]. The FaNS detectors are capture-gated spectroscopy arrays of plastic scintillator and 3 He proportional counters.…”

Section: Fast Neutronsmentioning

confidence: 99%

PROSPECT - A Precision Reactor Oscillation and Spectrum Experiment at Short Baselines

Ashenfelter¹,

Balantekin²,

Band³

et al. 2013

Preprint

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Current models of antineutrino production in nuclear reactors predict detection rates and spectra at odds with the existing body of direct reactor antineutrino measurements. High-resolution antineutrino detectors operated close to compact research reactor cores can produce new precision measurements useful in testing explanations for these observed discrepancies involving underlying nuclear or new physics. Absolute measurement of the 235 U-produced antineutrino spectrum can provide additional constraints for evaluating the accuracy of current and future reactor models, while relative measurements of spectral distortion between differing baselines can be used to search for oscillations arising from the existence of eV-scale sterile neutrinos. Such a measurement can be performed in the United States at several highly-enriched uranium fueled research reactors using near-surface segmented liquid scintillator detectors. We describe here the conceptual design and physics potential of the PROSPECT experiment, a U.S.-based, multi-phase experiment with reactor-detector baselines of 7-20 meters capable of addressing these and other physics and detector development goals. Current R&D status and future plans for PROSPECT detector deployment and data-taking at the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be discussed.

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“…The FaNS-1 spectrometer is a fast neutron detector consisting of segments of BC-400 plastic scintillator with 3 He proportional counters positioned between [29,30]. Each of the six optically-decoupled plastic scintillator segments are 9 cm × 18.5 cm × 15 cm, for a total active volume of 15 liters.…”

Section: Acceptance Depends On Coincidence Requirementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Background radiation measurements at high power research reactors

Ashenfelter

Balantekin

Baldenegro

et al. 2016

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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Research reactors host a wide range of activities that make use of the intense neutron fluxes generated at these facilities. Recent interest in performing measurements with relatively low event rates, e.g. reactor antineutrino detection, at these facilities necessitates a detailed understanding of background radiation fields. Both reactor-correlated and naturally occurring background sources are potentially important, even at levels well below those of importance for typical activities. Here we describe a comprehensive series of background assessments at three high-power research reactors, including γ-ray, neutron, and muon measurements. For each facility we describe the characteristics and identify the sources of the background fields encountered. The general understanding gained of background production mechanisms and their relationship to facility features will prove valuable for the planning of any sensitive measurement conducted therein. * Corresponding author Email address: nbowden@llnl.gov (N. S. Bowden) training, and fundamental physics investigations [1]. More than 250 research reactor facilities are operational or planned in 57 countries [2]. The large neutron flux generated by a controlled fission chain reaction enables such activities. Typically experiments are conducted within or close to the reactor core, or using neutron beams generated through the thermal moderation and collimation of fission neutrons. With the addition of specialized moderators at cryogenic temperatures, neu-

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Fast neutron detection with a segmented spectrometer

Cited by 16 publications

References 60 publications

The muon-induced neutron indirect detection EXperiment, MINIDEX

The muon-induced neutron indirect detection EXperiment, MINIDEX

PROSPECT - A Precision Reactor Oscillation and Spectrum Experiment at Short Baselines

Background radiation measurements at high power research reactors

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