Open AccessHotSpotter? Neutron/Gamma Detector
Author(s) -
Z Bell
Publication year - 2003
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/810878
Subject(s) - neutron , physics , gamma ray , neutron detection , silicon photomultiplier , photomultiplier , sensitivity (control systems) , detector , crystal (programming language) , nuclear physics , materials science , radiochemistry , analytical chemistry (journal) , optics , chemistry , scintillator , electronic engineering , computer science , programming language , engineering , chromatography
The HotSpotter{trademark} Neutron/Gamma Detector combines in a single detecting module high sensitivity to gamma rays up to 3 MeV and sensitivity to neutrons. Using a 15 mm cubic CdWO{sub 4} (cadmium tungstate) crystal mounted on a 25 mm photomultiplier, the instrument realizes a factor of 5 increased photopeak efficiency over NaI(Tl) at 1 MeV, and a factor of 2 improvement over CsI(Tl). The addition of a 0.5 mm layer of {sup 10}B- impregnated epoxy covering the crystal provides neutron sensitivity without sacrificing gamma ray spectroscopic characteristics. Neutrons are detected by the presence of the 478 keV gamma from the {sup 10}B(n,{alpha}){sup 7}Li* reaction. In this paper, we describe the electronics and software of the instrument, and some of its characteristics