Solid polystyrene and deuterated polystyrene light output response to fast neutrons

Journal Article · Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4947515· OSTI ID:1493551

Simpson, R. ^[1]; Danly, C. ^[1]; Glebov, V. Yu. ^[2]; Hurlbut, C. ^[3]; Merrill, F. E. ^[1]; Volegov, P. L. ^[1]; Wilde, C. ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
2. Lab. for Laser Energetics, Rochester, NY (United States)
3. Eljen Technology, Sweetwater, TX (United States)

The Neutron Imaging System has proven to be an important diagnostic in studying DT implosion characteristics at the National Ignition Facility. Here, the current system depends on a polystyrene scintillating fiber array, which detects fusion neutrons born in the DT hotspot as well as neutrons that have scattered to lower energies in the surrounding cold fuel. Increasing neutron yields at NIF, as well as a desire to resolve three-dimensional information about the fuel assembly, have provided the impetus to build and install two additional next-generation neutron imaging systems. We are currently investigating a novel neutron imaging system that will utilize a deuterated polystyrene (CD) fiber array instead of standard hydrogen-based polystyrene (CH). Studies of deuterated xylene or deuterated benzene liquid scintillator show an improvement in imaging resolution by a factor of two, but also a reduction in light output as compared to standard plastic. Tests of the relative light output of deuterated polystyrene and standard polystyrene were completed using 14 MeV fusion neutrons generated through implosions of deuterium-tritium filled capsules at the OMEGA laser facility. In addition, we collected data of the relative response of these two scintillators to a wide energy range of neutrons (1-800 MeV) at the Weapons Neutrons Research Facility. Results of these measurements are presented.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001
• OSTI ID: 1493551
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 22597133
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--15-27217
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 87; ISSN 0034-6748
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics (AIP)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
Chemical elements
Heterocyclic compounds
Isotopes
Lasers
Liquid scintillators
Neutron imaging
Oscilloscopes
Photochemistry
Polymers
Transition metals