Comparative neutron detection efficiency in He-3 proportional counters and liquid scintillators

S. A. Pozzi; S. D. Clarke; M. Paff; A. Di Fulvio; R. T. Kouzes

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2019.03.027

Comparative neutron detection efficiency in He-3 proportional counters and liquid scintillators

S. A. Pozzi, S. D. Clarke, M. Paff, A. Di Fulvio, R. T. Kouzes

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We present new results on the neutron detection efficiency of detection systems based on He-3 proportional counters compared to organic liquid scintillators. The experiments were conducted using a well-characterized Cf-252 neutron source, measured bare, and shielded with slabs of polyethylene. The results show that the intrinsic neutron detection efficiency for the bare source is approximately 25% for the He-3 system, and 67% for the liquid scintillator system. When polyethylene sheets were used to shield the source in 2.54 cm increments, the neutron detection efficiency of both systems decreased exponentially to approximately 10% for the case of 25.4 cm. Experimental results were simulated using MCNPX-PoliMi and good agreement was found between measurement and simulation results for all the cases considered here.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	107-112
Number of pages	6
Journal	Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Volume	929
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2019.03.027
State	Published - Jun 11 2019
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Detector characterization
Efficiency
He-3
Neutron detection
Organic scintillator

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Instrumentation

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Comparative neutron detection efficiency in He-3 proportional counters and liquid scintillators. / Pozzi, S. A.; Clarke, S. D.; Paff, M.; Di Fulvio, A.; Kouzes, R. T.

In: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 929, 11.06.2019, p. 107-112.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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abstract = "We present new results on the neutron detection efficiency of detection systems based on He-3 proportional counters compared to organic liquid scintillators. The experiments were conducted using a well-characterized Cf-252 neutron source, measured bare, and shielded with slabs of polyethylene. The results show that the intrinsic neutron detection efficiency for the bare source is approximately 25% for the He-3 system, and 67% for the liquid scintillator system. When polyethylene sheets were used to shield the source in 2.54 cm increments, the neutron detection efficiency of both systems decreased exponentially to approximately 10% for the case of 25.4 cm. Experimental results were simulated using MCNPX-PoliMi and good agreement was found between measurement and simulation results for all the cases considered here.",

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AU - Kouzes, R. T.

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N2 - We present new results on the neutron detection efficiency of detection systems based on He-3 proportional counters compared to organic liquid scintillators. The experiments were conducted using a well-characterized Cf-252 neutron source, measured bare, and shielded with slabs of polyethylene. The results show that the intrinsic neutron detection efficiency for the bare source is approximately 25% for the He-3 system, and 67% for the liquid scintillator system. When polyethylene sheets were used to shield the source in 2.54 cm increments, the neutron detection efficiency of both systems decreased exponentially to approximately 10% for the case of 25.4 cm. Experimental results were simulated using MCNPX-PoliMi and good agreement was found between measurement and simulation results for all the cases considered here.

AB - We present new results on the neutron detection efficiency of detection systems based on He-3 proportional counters compared to organic liquid scintillators. The experiments were conducted using a well-characterized Cf-252 neutron source, measured bare, and shielded with slabs of polyethylene. The results show that the intrinsic neutron detection efficiency for the bare source is approximately 25% for the He-3 system, and 67% for the liquid scintillator system. When polyethylene sheets were used to shield the source in 2.54 cm increments, the neutron detection efficiency of both systems decreased exponentially to approximately 10% for the case of 25.4 cm. Experimental results were simulated using MCNPX-PoliMi and good agreement was found between measurement and simulation results for all the cases considered here.

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