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At least 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Luminescence and scintillation properties of XPO 4 :Nd 3+ (X = Y, Lu, Sc, La) crystals

Due to their very fast short-wavelength emission, neodymium-doped materials are a subject of current interest as potential scintillators. Although the initial reports regarding neodymium-doped orthophosphates (in crystalline form) and their scintillation properties appeared almost twenty years ago, they remain an interesting class of materials since there is no in-depth understanding of their fundamental scintillation mechanism. In the present research, we focus on the crystalline systems: XPO 4 :Nd 3+ , where X = Y, Lu, La, Sc. The pulse height, optical absorption, radioluminescence and photoluminescence spectra were investigated and are reported here for various temperatures from 10 to 350 K. Here, results of both low and high temperature thermoluminescence measurements are reported in this communication.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Study of the filter method for neutron pulse-height distributions measured with organic scintillators

Identification of neutron sources is of interest in several fields, such as homeland security or basic nu-clear physics. Organic scintillators offer the possibility to unfold fast-neutron energy spectra. Since organic scintillators are sensitive to neutrons and gamma-rays, a method to discriminate these two types of particles is required. This paper is focused on investigation of the discrimination properties of the filter method by using a new procedure. We compare the results of an experimental filter method to a digital pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) method based on charge integration. In addition, these methods are compared to the simulation results obtained with the MCNPX-PoliMi code. The experimental and nu-merical investigations were performed with a 252Cf spontaneous-fission neutron source. The integration of the number of counts gave the relative differences between the experimental filter and digital PSD neutron pulse-height distributions (PHDs) and simulated PHDs less than approximately 5% in the range between 60 keVee and 1.715 MeVee of light output. Above 1.715 MeVee, the PSD method has advantages over the filter method, due to the filter method having significantly worse counting statistics. The results show that the filter method has potential for robust neutron measurements when the PSD method cannot be applied, such as for ‘old’ organic plastic scintillators without PSD capability.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhanced Neutron and γ-Ray Detection via 6 Li Substitution in Undoped and Tl-Doped Zero-Dimensional Perovskite Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 Scintillators

Radiation detectors are crucial in a wide variety of research and commercial applications, such as oil and gas exploration, medical imaging, nuclear nonproliferation, and homeland security. Neutron and gamma-ray detectors are fundamental components in portal monitors at ports and border crossings, bolstering national security against radiological threats. This study presents a dual-mode scintillator, undoped and Tl-doped 6 Li-Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 , and demonstrates its potential as a promising material for simultaneous thermal neutron and gamma-ray detection. We explore the Bridgman growth of both undoped and thallium doped Li → Cu and Li → Cs substitutional systems with various Li doping levels and assess their impact on scintillation properties. Under 662 keV gamma-ray excitation, the undoped crystals had light yields up to 35,900 ph/MeV, with energy resolutions down to 4.5%. The Tl-doped crystals performed better than the undoped crystals with light yields peaking at 65,900 ph/MeV and energy resolutions as low as 3.5%. When exposed to a moderated 252 Cf excitation source, our crystals had light yields between 102,900 and 167,200 photons per thermal neutron capture, with a full energy thermal neutron peak reaching 3 MeV in gamma equivalent energy. Pulse shape discrimination studies reveal well-separated gamma and neutron events, resulting in Figure-Of-Merit (FOM) as high as 3.7. Furthermore, these findings highlight the potential of Li-doped Cs 3 Cu 2 I 5 as a viable candidate for next-generation dual-mode scintillators.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fast Rossi-alpha Measurements of Plutonium Using Organic Scintillators

In this work, Rossi-alpha measurements were simultaneously performed with a 3 He-based detection system and an organic scintillator-based detection system. The assembly is 15 kg of plutonium (93 wt% 239 Pu) reflected by copper and moderated by lead. The goal of Rossi-alpha measurements is to estimate the prompt neutron decay constant, alpha. Simulations estimate $k_{eff}$ = 0:624 and α = 52:3 ± 2:5 ns for the measured assembly. The organic scintillator system estimated α = 47:4 ± 2:0 ns, having a 9.37% error (though the 1.09 standard deviation confidence intervals overlapped). The 3 He system estimated α = 37 μs. The known slowing down time of the 3 He system is 35-40 μs, which means the slowing down time dominates and obscures the prompt neutron decay constant. Subsequently, the organic scintillator system should be used for assemblies with alpha much less than 35 μs.

3He↗
DOE OSTI2010

Scintillator-based diagnostic for fast ion loss measurements on DIII-D

A new scintillator-based fast ion loss detector has been installed on DIII-D with the time response (>100 kHz) needed to study energetic ion losses induced by Alfven eigenmodes and other MHD instabilities. Based on the design used on ASDEX Upgrade, the diagnostic measures the pitch angle and gyroradius of ion losses based on the position of the ions striking the two-dimensional scintillator. For fast time response measurements, a beam splitter and fiberoptics couple a portion of the scintillator light to a photomultiplier. Reverse orbit following techniques trace the lost ions to their possible origin within the plasma. Initial DIII-D results showing prompt losses and energetic ion loss due to MHD instabilities are discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2011

Microstructure, optical, and scintillation characteristics of Pr{sup 3+} doped Lu{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} optical ceramics

0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 at. %Pr{sup 3+} doped Lu{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} (Pr:LuAG) optical ceramics are fabricated and compared with Bi{sub 4}Ge{sub 3}O{sub 12} (BGO) and Pr:LuAG single crystals as for their optical, luminescence and scintillation properties. Radio-luminescence intensity of the fast UV emission based on 5d{sub 1}{yields}4f Pr{sup 3+} transition reaches up to 20 times of that of BGO single crystal reference scintillator. Photoelectron yield of the best performing 0.5 at. % Pr:LuAG ceramic sample is about 1002 phels/MeV, about 30% lower than that of BGO reference sample and about 65% lower than that of Pr:LuAG single crystal. The trapping phenomena at grain boundaries and/or structural defects are proposed as the main cause of degradation of the scintillation response of the Pr:LuAG optical ceramics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

950 keV X-Band Linac For Material Recognition Using Two-Fold Scintillator Detector As A Concept Of Dual-Energy X-Ray System

One of the advantages of applying X-band linear accelerator (Linac) is the compact size of the whole system. That shows us the possibility of on-site system such as the custom inspection system in an airport. As X-ray source, we have developed X-band Linac and achieved maximum X-ray energy 950 keV using the low power magnetron (250 kW) in 2 {mu}s pulse length. The whole size of the Linac system is 1x1x1 m{sup 3}. That is realized by introducing X-band system. In addition, we have designed two-fold scintillator detector in dual energy X-ray concept. Monte carlo N-particle transport (MCNP) code was used to make up sensor part of the design with two scintillators, CsI and CdWO4. The custom inspection system is composed of two equipments: 950 keV X-band Linac and two-fold scintillator and they are operated simulating real situation such as baggage check in an airport. We will show you the results of experiment which was performed with metal samples: iron and lead as targets in several conditions.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2011

A transport-based model of material trends in nonproportionality of scintillators

Electron-hole pairs created by the passage of a high-energy electron in a scintillator radiation detector find themselves in a very high radial concentration gradient of the primary electron track. Since nonlinear quenching that is generally regarded to be at the root of nonproportional response depends on the fourth or sixth power of the track radius in a cylindrical track model, radial diffusion of charge carriers and excitons on the {approx}10 picosecond duration typical of nonlinear quenching can compete with and thereby modify that quenching. We use a numerical model of transport and nonlinear quenching to examine trends affecting local light yield versus excitation density as a function of charge carrier and exciton diffusion coefficients. Four trends are found: (1) nonlinear quenching associated with the universal 'roll-off' of local light yield versus dE/dx is a function of the lesser of mobilities {mu}{sub e} and {mu}{sub h} or of D{sub EXC} as appropriate, spanning a broad range of scintillators and semiconductor detectors; (2) when {mu}{sub e{approx_equal}{mu}h}, excitons dominate free carriers in transport, the corresponding reduction of scattering by charged defects and optical phonons increases diffusion out of the track in competition with nonlinear quenching, and a rise in proportionality is expected; (3) when {mu}{sub h} << {mu}{sub e} as in halide scintillators with hole self-trapping, the branching between free carriers and excitons varies strongly along the track, leading to a 'hump' in local light yield versus dE/dx; (4) anisotropic mobility can promote charge separation along orthogonal axes and leads to a characteristic shift of the 'hump' in halide local light yield. Trends 1 and 2 have been combined in a quantitative model of nonlinear local light yield which is predictive of empirical nonproportionality for a wide range of oxide and semiconductor radiation detector materials where band mass or mobility data are the determinative material parameters.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2011

Study of nonproportionality in the light yield of inorganic scintillators

Using a phenomenological approach, the light yield is derived for inorganic scintillators as a function of the rates of linear, bimolecular, and Auger processes occurring in the electron track initiated by an x ray or a {gamma}-ray photon. A relation between the track length and incident energy is also derived. It is found that the nonproportionality in the light yield can be eliminated if either nonlinear processes of interaction among the excited electrons, holes, and excitons can be eliminated from occurring or the high density situation can be relieved by diffusion of carriers from the track at a faster rate than the rate of activation of nonlinear processes. The influence of the track length and radius on the yield nonproportionality is discussed in view of the known experimental results. Inventing new inorganic scintillating materials with high carrier mobility can lead to a class of proportional inorganic scintillators. Results agree qualitatively with experimental results for the dependence of light yield on the incident energy.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2011

Scintillation of rare earth doped fluoride nanoparticles

The scintillation response of rare earth (RE) doped core/undoped (multi-)shell fluoride nanoparticles was investigated under x-ray and alpha particle irradiation. A significant enhancement of the scintillation response was observed with increasing shells due: (i) to the passivation of surface quenching defects together with the activation of the REs on the surface of the core nanoparticle after the growth of a shell, and (ii) to the increase of the volume of the nanoparticles. These results are expected to reflect a general aspect of the scintillation process in nanoparticles, and to impact radiation sensing technologies that make use of nanoparticles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Active Inspection of Nuclear Materials Using {sup 4}He Scintillation Detectors

The detection of fissionable materials by neutron and high-energy photon active interrogation methods is explored using {sup 4}He scintillation detectors to search for prompt and delayed neutron signature. The low electron density of {sup 4}He in addition to its pulse shape discrimination capability allows strong rejection of gamma radiation. For the detection of the prompt neutron signatures, this capability is important as the signal produced by induced fission is accompanied by intense gamma radiation. The nanosecond time resolution of {sup 4}He scintillation detectors can be used for time-of-flight measurements aimed at determining the energy of the emitted neutrons. For delayed neutron detection, the insensitivity to the low energy neutrons present from non-signal reactions is inherent. Unlike detectors requiring a moderator, this technology can easily be collimated to reduce sensitivity to neutrons from outside the field of interest. The performance of the detectors for these applications is studied using GEANT4 computer modeling, based on measured detector parameters. A comparison is made with technologies typically used for these applications, i.e. heavily shielded organic scintillators for prompt neutron detection and Cd-lined {sup 3}He neutron detectors for the detection of delayed neutrons.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2011

Double {beta} experiments with the help of scintillation and HPGe detectors at Gran Sasso

A search for double beta decay of {sup 64,70}Zn, {sup 180,186}W was carried out by using low background ZnWO{sub 4} crystal scintillators, while a CeCl{sub 3} scintillation detector was applied to investigate 2{beta} processes in {sup 136,138,142}Ce. A search for 2{beta} decay of {sup 96,104}Ru, {sup 156,158}Dy, {sup 190,198}Pt and study of 2{nu}2{beta} decay of {sup 100}Mo to the first excited 0{sup +} level of {sup 100}Ru were realized by ultra-low background HPGe {gamma} spectrometry. Moreover, CdWO{sub 4} crystal scintillators from enriched {sup 106}Cd and {sup 116}Cd isotopes were developed to search for 2{beta} decay of {sup 106}Cd and {sup 116}Cd. Finally, experiments aimed to investigate {sup 96,104}Ru and {sup 116}Cd are in progress and a new phase of the experiment to search for 2{beta} processes in {sup 106}Cd is in preparation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Measurement of the muon-induced neutron yield in liquid scintillator and stainless steel at LNGS with the LVD experiment

We describe the measurement of the muon-induced neutron yield in liquid scintillator and stainless steel (SS) at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), with the LVD experiment. The Large Volume Detector (LVD) is located in Hall A of the LNGS and is made of 1000 t of liquid scintillator and 1000 t of SS. Using an independent measurement to evaluate the background and with the support of a full Monte Carlo simulation based on Geant4, we measured a neutron yield of (2.9±0.6)×10{sup −4} and (1.5±0.3)×10{sup −3} in liquid scintillator and in stainless steel, respectively.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2013

R and D of crystal scintillators from enriched isotopes for high sensitivity double β decay experiments

Experiments to search for neutrinoless double beta decay enters to a new phase when a sensitivity on the level of T{sub 1/2}∼10{sup 26}−10{sup 28} yr is required. Scintillating low temperature detectors possess important properties required for high-sensitivity double beta decay experiments: presence of elements of interest, high energy resolution and detection efficiency, low level of background thanks to excellent particle discrimination ability. High concentration of isotope of interest and as low as possible radioactive contamination are important requirements to crystal scintillators. Other crucial issues are maximal output of detectors and minimal loss of enriched materials. Prospects of several scintillation materials, enriched in isotopes promising for double beta decay experiments, are discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Development of the scintillator-based probe for fast-ion losses in the HL-2A tokamak

A new scintillator-based lost fast-ion probe (SLIP) has been developed and operated in the HL-2A tokamak [L. W. Yan, X. R. Duan, X. T. Ding, J. Q. Dong, Q. W. Yang, Yi Liu, X. L. Zou, D. Q. Liu, W. M. Xuan, L. Y. Chen, J. Rao, X. M. Song, Y. Huang, W. C. Mao, Q. M. Wang, Q. Li, Z. Cao, B. Li, J. Y. Cao, G. J. Lei, J. H. Zhang, X. D. Li, W. Chen, J. Chen, C. H. Cui, Z. Y. Cui, Z. C. Deng, Y. B. Dong, B. B. Feng, Q. D. Gao, X. Y. Han, W. Y. Hong, M. Huang, X. Q. Ji, Z. H. Kang, D. F. Kong, T. Lan, G. S. Li, H. J. Li, Qing Li, W. Li, Y. G. Li, A. D. Liu, Z. T. Liu, C. W. Luo, X. H. Mao, Y. D. Pan, J. F. Peng, Z. B. Shi, S. D. Song, X. Y. Song, H. J. Sun, A. K. Wang, M. X. Wang, Y. Q. Wang, W. W. Xiao, Y. F. Xie, L. H. Yao, D. L. Yu, B. S. Yuan, K. J. Zhao, G. W. Zhong, J. Zhou, J. C. Yan, C. X. Yu, C. H. Pan, Y. Liu, and the HL-2A Team , Nucl. Fusion 51, 094016 (2011)] to measure the losses of neutral beam ions. The design of the probe is based on the concept of the α-particle detectors on Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) using scintillator plates. The probe is capable of traveling across an equatorial plane port and sweeping the aperture angle rotationally with respect to the axis of the probe shaft by two step motors, in order to optimize the radial position and the collimator angle. The energy and the pitch angle of the lost fast ions can be simultaneously measured if the two-dimensional image of scintillation light intensity due to the impact of the lost fast ions is detected. Measurements of the fast-ion losses using the probe have been performed during HL-2A neutral beam injection discharges. The clear experimental evidence of enhanced losses of beam ions during disruptions has been obtained by means of the SLIP system. A detailed description of the probe system and the first experimental results are reported.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

High-energy X-ray detection by hafnium-doped organic-inorganic hybrid scintillators prepared by sol-gel method

With the aim of enhancing the efficiency with which plastic scintillators detect high-energy X-rays, hafnium-doped organic-inorganic hybrid scintillators were fabricated via a sol-gel method. Transmission electron microscopy of sampled material reveals the presence of Hf{sub x}Si{sub 1−x}O{sub 2} nanoparticles, dispersed in a polymer matrix that constitutes the active material of the X-ray detector. With Hf{sub x}Si{sub 1−x}O{sub 2} nanoparticles incorporated in the polymer matrix, the absorption edge and the luminescence wavelength is shifted, which we attribute to Mie scattering. The detection efficiency for 67.4-keV X-rays in a 0.6-mm-thick piece of this material is two times better than the same thickness of a commercial plastic scintillator-NE142.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Monte Carlo simulation of the data acquisition chain of scintillation detectors

The good performance of a detector can be strongly affected by the instrumentation used to acquire the data. The possibility of anticipating how the acquisition chain will affect the signal can help in finding the best solution among different set-ups. In this work we developed a Monte Carlo code that aims to simulate the effect of the various components of a digital Data Acquisition system (DAQ) applied to scintillation detectors. The components included in the model are: the scintillator, the photomultiplier tube (PMT), the signal cable and the digitizer. We benchmarked the code against real data acquired with a NE213 scintillator, comparing simulated and real signal pulses induced by gamma-ray interaction. Then we studied the dependence of the energy resolution of a pulse height spectrum (PHS) on the sampling frequency and the bit resolution of the digitizer. We found that exceeding some values of the sampling frequency and the bit resolution improves only marginally the performance of the system. The method can be applied for the study of various detector systems relevant for nuclear techniques, such as in fusion diagnostics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Neutron emission measurement at the HL-2A tokamak device with a liquid scintillation detector

Neutron emission measurement at the HL-2A tokamak device with a liquid scintillation detector is described. The detector was placed at a location with little structure material in the field of view, and equipped with a gain monitoring system which could provide the possibility to evaluate the gain variation as well as to correct for the detector response. Time trace of the neutron emissivity was obtained and it was consistent with the result of a standard {sup 235}U fission chamber. During the plasma discharge the neutron yield could vary by about four orders of magnitude and the fluctuation of the detector gain was up to about 6%. Pulse height spectrum of the liquid scintillation detector was constructed and corrected with the aid of the gain monitoring system, and the correction was found to be essential for the assessment of the neutron energy spectrum. This successful measurement offered experience and confidence for the application of liquid scintillation detectors in the upcoming neutron camera system.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗