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Title: DESIGN OF A LARGE-AREA FAST NEUTRON DIRECTIONAL DETECTOR.

Conference ·
OSTI ID:896731

A large-area fast-neutron double-scatter directional detector and spectrometer is being constructed using l-meter-long plastic scintillator paddles with photomultiplier tubes at both ends. The scintillators detect fast neutrons by proton recoil and also gamma rays by Compton scattering. The paddles are arranged in two parallel planes so that neutrons can be distinguished from muons and gamma rays by time of flight between the planes. The signal pulses are digitized with a time resolution of one gigasample per second. The location of an event along each paddle can be determined from the relative amplitudes or timing of the signals at the ends. The angle of deflection of a neutron in the first plane can be estimated from the energy deposited by the recoil proton, combined with the scattered neutron time-of-flight energy. Each scattering angle can be back-projected as a cone, and many intersecting cones define the incident neutron direction from a distant point source. Moreover, the total energy of each neutron can be obtained, allowing some regions of a fission source spectrum to be distinguished from background generated by cosmic rays. Monte Carlo calculations will be compared with measurements.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/NNSA
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-98CH10886
OSTI ID:
896731
Report Number(s):
BNL-77298-2006-CP; R&D Project: 10512; NN2001030; TRN: US0700839
Resource Relation:
Conference: IEEE 2006 NUCLEAR SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM; SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA; 20061029 through 20061104
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English