Open AccessNew solid-state organic scintillators for fast and thermal neutron detection
Author(s) -
Natalia Zaitseva,
A. Glenn,
Andrew N. Mabe,
Leslie Carman,
Stephen A. Payne
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of modern physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2010-1945
DOI - 10.1142/s2010194520600034
Subject(s) - scintillator , neutron detection , neutron temperature , neutron , materials science , neutron source , plutonium , neutron moderator , nuclear physics , radiochemistry , nuclear engineering , detector , physics , neutron cross section , optics , chemistry , engineering
Detection of special nuclear materials (SNM) requires instruments that can detect and characterize uranium and plutonium isotopes, having at the same time the ability to discriminate among different types of radiation. For many decades, neutron detection has been based on 3 He proportional counters sensitive primarily to thermal neutrons. The most common methods for detection of fast neutrons have been based on liquid scintillators with pulse shape discrimination (PSD). The shortage of 3 He and handling issues with liquid scintillators stimulated a search for efficient solid-state PSD materials. Recent studies conducted at LLNL led to development of new materials, among which are organic crystals with excellent PSD and first PSD plastics for fast neutron detection. More advantages are introduced by plastics doped with neutron capture agents, such as 10 B and 6 Li, that can be used without moderation for combined detection of both thermal and fast neutrons, offering, in addition, a unique “triple” PSD for signal separation between fast neutrons, thermal neutrons, and gamma-rays. More recent studies have been focused on development of deuterated scintillators that can be used for neutron spectroscopy without time-of-flight (ToF). Among commercially produced materials are large-scale (>10 cm) stilbene crystals grown by the inexpensive solution technique, and different types of PSD plastics that, due to the deployment advantages and ease of fabrication, create a basis for the widespread use of solid-state scintillators as large-volume and low-cost neutron detectors.