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Title: Development of a lithium fluoride zinc sulfide based neutron multiplicity counter

Journal Article · · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [2];  [2];  [5];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2]
  1. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Idaho State Univ., Pocatello, ID (United States)
  2. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  3. New Mexico Univ. Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  4. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
  5. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Here, the feasibility of a full-scale lithium fluoride zinc sulfide (LiF/ZnS) based neutron multiplicity counter has been demonstrated. The counter was constructed of modular neutron detecting stacks that each contain five sheets of LiF/ZnS interleaved between six sheets of wavelength shifting plastic with a photomultiplier tube on each end. Twelve such detector stacks were placed around a sample chamber in a square arrangement with lithiated high-density polyethylene blocks in the corners to reflect high-energy neutrons and capture low-energy neutrons. The final system design was optimized via modeling and small-scale test. Measuring neutrons from a 252Cf source, the counter achieved a 36% neutron detection efficiency (ϵϵ) and an View the MathML source11.7μs neutron die-away time (ττ) for a doubles figure-of-merit (ϵ2/τ) of 109. This is the highest doubles figure-of-merit measured to-date for a 3He-free neutron multiplicity counter.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1418020
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1548810
Journal Information:
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 887; ISSN 0168-9002
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 5 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (8)

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journal November 2010
Neutron multiplicity and multiplication measurements journal January 1984
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Effects of Correlated and Uncorrelated Gamma Rays on Neutron Multiplicity Counting journal July 2017
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Neutron coincidence counting with digital signal processing
  • Bagi, Janos; Dechamp, Luc; Dransart, Pascal
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journal September 2009
A water-based neutron detector as a well multiplicity counter
  • Dazeley, S.; Asghari, A.; Bernstein, A.
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journal January 2015

Cited By (1)

Passive Gamma-Ray and Neutron Imaging Systems for National Security and Nuclear Non-Proliferation in Controlled and Uncontrolled Detection Areas: Review of Past and Current Status journal June 2019

Figures / Tables (4)

Figure 1(p. 5)figure Figure 1
Figure 2(p. 6)figure Figure 2
Figure 3(p. 9)figure Figure 3
Table 1(p. 11)table Table 1

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Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
LiF/ZnS
Neutron multiplicity counter
Neutron coincidence counter
3He-free