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Title: A new method to reduce the statistical and systematic uncertainty of chance coincidence backgrounds measured with waveform digitizers

Journal Article · · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
 [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
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We present a new method for measuring chance-coincidence backgrounds during the collection of coincidence data. The method relies on acquiring data with near-zero dead time, which is now realistic due to the increasing deployment of flash electronic-digitizer (waveform digitizer) techniques. An experiment designed to use this new method is capable of acquiring more coincidence data, and a much reduced statistical fluctuation of the measured background. A statistical analysis is presented, and us ed to derive a figure of merit for the new method. Factors of four improvement over other analyses are realistic. The technique is illustrated with preliminary data taken as part of a program to make new measurements of the prompt fission neutron spectra at Los Alamo s Neutron Science Center. In conclusion, it is expected that the these measurements will occur in a regime where the maximum figure of merit will be exploited

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
1334114
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-15-23405
Journal Information:
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 805; ISSN 0168-9002
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 13 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (4)

The Prompt Fission Neutron Spectrum (PFNS) Measurement Program at LANSCE journal May 2014
The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center
  • Lisowski, Paul W.; Schoenberg, Kurt F.
  • Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 562, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2006.02.178
journal June 2006
Li-glass detector response study with a 252Cf source for low-energy prompt fission neutrons
  • Lee, H. Y.; Taddeucci, T. N.; Haight, R. C.
  • Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 703 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2012.10.137
journal March 2013
Neutron-induced 235 U fission spectrum measurements using liquid organic scintillation detectors journal December 2012

Cited By (1)

Measurements of the Prompt Fission Neutron Spectrum at LANSCE: The Chi-Nu Experiment journal January 2018

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Related Subjects

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
Chance coincidence background
Waveform digitizer
Statistical uncertainty
Systematic uncertainty