Evaluation of a positron-emission-tomography-based SiPM readout for compact segmented neutron imagers

Li, V. A.; Sutanto, F.; Classen, T. M.; Dazeley, S. A.; Jovanovic, I.; Wu, T. C.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2022.167624

Evaluation of a positron-emission-tomography-based SiPM readout for compact segmented neutron imagers

Journal Article · Mon Oct 31 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2022.167624· OSTI ID:1989460

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Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); MTV/University of Michigan, NERS
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

Gamma-ray emission from special nuclear material (SNM) is relatively easy to shield from detection using modest amounts of high-Z material. In contrast, fast-neutrons are much more penetrating and can escape relatively thick high-Z shielding without losing significant energy. Furthermore, fast neutrons provide a clear and unambiguous signature of the presence of SNM with few competing natural background sources. The challenge of detecting fast neutrons is twofold. First, the neutron flux from SNM are only a fraction of the corresponding gamma-ray flux. Second, fast neutrons can be difficult to differentiate from gamma rays. The ability to discriminate gamma rays from neutrons, combined with a neutron imaging capability, can in some situations enable the localization of SNM neutron sources distinct from background. With the developments of pulse-shape-sensitive plastic scintillators that offer excellent gamma-ray/neutron discrimination, and arrays of silicon photomultipliers combined with highly scalable and fast positron-emission-tomography (PET) multi-channel readout systems, field-deployable neutron imagers suitable for SNM detection might now be within reach. In this paper, we present a characterization of the performance of a recently available commercial PET-scanner readout, including its sensitivity to pulse-shape differences between fast neutrons and gamma rays, energy and timing resolution. Here, we find that, while the pulse-shape discrimination is achievable with stilbene, further improvement of the readout is required to achieve it with the PSD-capable available plastic scintillators.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; Consortium for Monitoring, Technology, and Verification (MTV)

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0003920; AC52-07NA27344

OSTI ID:: 1989460

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2278773

Journal Information:: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment Vol. 1046; ISSN 0168-9002

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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