A Ce-Doped LiI Scintillator Film-Based High Rate, High Spatial Resolution Neutron Anger Camera for Neutron Scattering Facilities

Wen, Xianfei; Hayward, Jason P.

doi:10.1109/TNS.2025.3591060

A Ce-Doped LiI Scintillator Film-Based High Rate, High Spatial Resolution Neutron Anger Camera for Neutron Scattering Facilities

Journal Article · Mon Jul 21 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TNS.2025.3591060· OSTI ID:3013555

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University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

The 2-D position sensitive neutron detectors featuring a significantly improved count rate capacity and a sub-mm spatial resolution are in high demand by neutron scattering facilities, especially the next generation high-flux spallation neutron sources (SNSs). They are anticipated to play a crucial role in fully utilizing the unprecedentedly high neutron brightness offered by these sources. In this work, a high rate and high spatial resolution neutron Anger camera has been successfully developed based on a Ce-doped microcolumnar LiI scintillator film and the PETsys TOFPET2 ASIC readout electronics. The performance evaluation was conducted in a standard laboratory environment as well as the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) with regard to light yield, γ-ray sensitivity, neutron detection efficiency, count rate capability, spatial resolution, and position linearity. The LiI:Ce scintillator was found to have a higher light yield and a lower γ-ray sensitivity than GS20 (i.e., 11729 versus 6000 photons/n and 1.67 × 10⁻⁵ versus on the order of 10⁻⁴). The neutron detection efficiency was measured to be 63% at 4.2 Å. This camera demonstrated an exceptional count rate capability, up to at least 481 kHz without rate loss. The spatial resolution was as good as 0.47 mm. Here, the position linearity was also enhanced.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0022292

OSTI ID:: 3013555

Journal Information:: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 72; ISSN 0018-9499; ISSN 1558-1578

Publisher:: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Related Subjects

High rate
LiI:Ce film
high spatial resolution
neutron Anger camera
neutron scattering

A Ce-Doped LiI Scintillator Film-Based High Rate, High Spatial Resolution Neutron Anger Camera for Neutron Scattering Facilities

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