Generalized method for the optimization of pulse shape discrimination parameters

Zhou, J.; Abdulaziz, A.; Altmann, Y.; Di Fulvio, A.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2023.168184

Generalized method for the optimization of pulse shape discrimination parameters

Journal Article · Mon Mar 06 00:00:00 EST 2023 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2023.168184· OSTI ID:2417984

Zhou, J. ^[1]; Abdulaziz, A. ^[2]; Altmann, Y. ^[2]; ^[3]

Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States); OSTI
Heriot-Watt Univ., Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)

Organic scintillators exhibit fast timing, high detection efficiency for fast neutrons and pulse shape discrimination (PSD) capability. PSD is essential in mixed radiation fields, where different types of radiation need to be detected and discriminated. In neutron measurements for nuclear security and non proliferation effective PSD is crucial, because a weak neutron signature needs to be detected in the presence of a strong gamma-ray background. Here, the most commonly used deterministic PSD technique is charge integration (CI). This method requires the optimization of specific parameters to obtain the best gamma-neutron separation. These parameters depend on the scintillating material and light readout device and typically require a lengthy optimization process and a calibration reference measurement with a mixed source. In this paper, we propose a new method based on the scintillation fluorescence physics that enables to find the optimum PSD integration gates using only a gamma-ray emitter. We demonstrate our method using three organic scintillation detectors: deuterated trans-stilbene, small-molecule organic glass, and EJ-309. In all the investigated cases, our method allowed finding the optimum PSD CI parameters without the need of iterative optimization.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USNRC

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0003996

OSTI ID:: 2417984

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1999836

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 Journal Issue: C Vol. 1050; ISSN 0168-9002

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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