Multi-layer plastic scintillation detector for intermediate- and high-energy neutrons withn-γdiscrimination capability

• DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2017.05.044
• Publication Date: 2017-06-12T19:15:47Z
• Authors: L. Yu; S. Terashima; H.J. Ong; P.Y. Chan; I. Tanihata; C. Iwamoto; D.T. Tran; A. Tamii; N. Aoi; H. Fujioka; G. Gey; H. Sakaguchi; A. Sakaue; B.H. Sun; T.L. Tang; T.F. Wang; Y.N. Watanabe; G.X. Zhang
• Keywords: Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors; 0103 physical sciences; FOS: Physical sciences; Instrumentation and Detectors (physics.ins-det); Nuclear Experiment (nucl-ex); Nuclear Experiment; 01 natural sciences; 7. Clean energy

A new type of neutron detector, named Stack Structure Solid organic Scintillator (S$^4$), consisting of multi-layer plastic scintillators with capability to suppress low-energy $��$ rays under high-counting rate has been constructed and tested. To achieve $\it{n}$-$��$ discrimination, we exploit the difference in the ranges of the secondary charged particles produced by the interactions of neutrons and $��$ rays in the scintillator material. The thickness of a plastic scintillator layer was determined based on the results of Monte Carlo simulations using the Geant4 toolkit. With layer thicknesses of 5 mm, we have achieved a good separation between neutrons and $��$ rays at 5 MeV$_{\rm ee}$ threshold setting. We have also determined the detection efficiencies using monoenergetic neutrons at two energies produced by the $\it{d}$+$\it{d}\to\it{n}$+$^{3}$He reaction. The results agree well with the Geant4 simulations implementing the Li$\grave{\rm e}$ge Intranuclear Cascade hadronic model (INCL++) and the high-precision model of low-energy neutron interactions (NeutronHP).<br/>32 pages, 13 figures and 1 table<br/>