A compact neutron spectrometer system

Borgwardt, Tyler Cody; Bartlett, Kurtis David; Smith, Karl; Meierbachtol, Krista Cruse

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2021.166202

Title: A compact neutron spectrometer system

Journal Article · 21 December 2021 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2021.166202 · OSTI ID:1839355

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Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

A portable neutron spectrometer, nSpec, has been developed for passive interrogation of fast neutrons ( 1 MeV) from neutron sources. The design of the system includes four EJ-301 liquid scintillation cells, a custom stand, and tungsten caps for gamma-ray shielding. Data acquisition settings were optimized to provide a dynamic range of up to > 15 MeV neutron energy. Additionally, the detector response matrix was characterized using a time-of-flight method based on gamma-ray tagged neutron emission from ²⁵²Cf. The spectrum unfolding was characterized using measured and simulated spectra of AmBe and ²⁵²Cf with the GRAVEL and MLEM methods. Monte Carlo methods were used to examine the uncertainty propagation and determine sufficient counts for a measurement.

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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:: 1839355

Report Number(s):: LA-UR--21-30344

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. 1027; ISSN 0168-9002

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
neutron
passive interrogation
scintillation
spectrometer
spectroscopy
unfolding

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