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At least 883 records · Page 49
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Neutron Detection with Large Plastic Scintillators for RPM Applications

Homeland security requests the use Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM). They must be able to detect and differentiate gamma and neutron radiation. Gamma detection is required for illicit transportation of radioactive matter detection. Neutron detection is important to control nonproliferation of enriched material. Manufacturers worldwide propose sensors based on {sup 3}He which give the actual state of art in term of neutron detection. The imminent shortage of {sup 3}He forces manufacturers to find viable alternative. From 10 years sensors providers have the challenge to replace previous {sup 3}He detectors that are known to be the most commonly deployed neutron sensor. As {sup 3}He detectors can only detect neutron, they must be completed with gamma detector. The proposed approach is based on pulse time correlation between adjacent sensors from signal collected by EJ200 plastic scintillators. Results obtained during FP7 Scintilla project test campaigns show the system relevance for replacement of today's {sup 3}He detectors. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Scintillation neutron detectors based on solid-state photomultipliers and lightguides

Neutron detectors based on scintillation screens ZnS(Ag)/LiF and solid-state photomultipliers have been developed. Lightguides are used to collect light. The application of a coincidence scheme provides a low dark count and a neutron detection efficiency as high as 70%. A scheme of x-y neutron detector based on wavelength shifting fibers is also proposed. Tests of the proposed versions of detectors in a neutron beam have shown their efficiency.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Organic Scintillator Detector Response Simulations with DRiFT

Accurate detector modeling is a requirement to design systems in many non-proliferation scenarios; by determining a Detector’s Response Function (DRF) to incident radiation, it is possible characterize measurements of unknown sources. DRiFT is intended to post-process MCNP® output and create realistic detector spectra. Capabilities currently under development include the simulation of semiconductor, gas, and (as is discussed in this work) scintillator detector physics. Energy spectra and pulse shape discrimination (PSD) trends for incident photon and neutron radiation have been reproduced by DRiFT.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Performance of an RPM based on Gd-lined plastic scintillator for neutron and gamma detection [ANIMMA--2015-IO-372]

A Radiation Portal Monitor (RPM) was developed by the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) and Ansaldo Nucleare (ANN) within the FP7 SCINTILLA European project. The system was designed to detect both gamma and neutron radiation with a single technology. It is conceived to monitor vehicle and cargo containers in transits across borders or ports, to find radioactive elements and to avoid illegal trafficking of strategic nuclear materials. The system is based on a {sup 3}He-free neutron detection technology using plastic scintillators coupled to Gadolinium to detect and discriminate gamma from neutron signals. During the 3 years of the SCINTILLA project the construction and test of the first two prototypes drove the definition of the final layout of a full RPM system consisting of two twin pillars as a portal for vehicle and cargo container scan. A custom System Control Software (SCS) manages the electronics of the RPM, the ancillary devices and the data analysis. The combination of the detector layout and of the software functionalities enables both to distinguish neutrons and gammas and to identify the energy range of a detected gamma source. The system was initially characterized via static tests with gamma and neutron sources in the INFN laboratory. These measurements were used to calibrate the detector, evaluate the response of the single pillars as well as of the full system, and optimize the RPM configuration and discrimination algorithm. During this phase, specific tests were performed to study the stability over time of the system, monitoring the measured the neutron and gamma count rates over periods of several weeks. The results allow us to demonstrate the reliability and robustness of the RPM. In a second time the RPM performance was studied via dynamic tests performed during the SCINTILLA test and benchmark campaigns. These measurements took place in the JRC ITRAP+10 facility at Ispra (Varese-Italy). The laboratory is equipped with an experimental set-up for dynamic tests of multiple systems according to international standards. The performed measurements utilized radioactive sources with activities selected according to ANSI and IEC standards to test the detector alarm performances in terms of gamma and neutron response, sensitivity to high gamma fields, sensitivity to moderated neutron sources as well as false alarm rates (FAR). In addition, the RPM was tested in challenging configurations exceeding the requirements set by international standards to determine the real limits of the system. The results obtained during these campaigns demonstrated that the system detection efficiency is not only compliant to international standards for its category, but often exceeds them, demonstrating the validity of the chosen technology and of the implemented layout. The positive performance also showed the effectiveness of the SCS and of its functionalities. To further demonstrate the system capabilities, a test in a real-life environment of the RPM is planned to happen in a near future by installing the detectors in a seaport. In this presentation I will give an overview of the RPM characteristics, of its performances as determined in the test campaign mentioned above and of future plans, to demonstrate how this technology can be an effective choice for the realization of {sup 3}He-free RPM detectors. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

Artificial neural network algorithms for pulse shape discrimination and recovery of piled-up pulses in organic scintillators

We developed two neural-network (NN)-based algorithms (fully-connected neural network (Fc-NN) and recurrent neural network (RNN)) to perform pulse shape discrimination (PSD) and identification of piled-up pulses produced by organic scintillators, upon interaction with neutrons and gamma rays. We tested the algorithms on measured and verification sets of data and compared their classification performances to standard approaches. At a high acquisition count rate (100,000 counts per second, cps), in the presence of a gamma-to-neutron ratio of approximately 400–1, the proposed NN-based algorithm achieves a fraction of misclassified neutron, gamma, and piled-up pulses of approximately 1%, 1.8%, and 0.6%, respectively. Compared to the traditional approach, it exhibits 3×, 14×, and 11× improved (lower) miscalculation rates for neutron, gamma, and piled-up pulses, respectively. Here, we also demonstrate the capability of NN-based algorithms of successfully recovering and identifying neutron and gamma ray compositions from piled-up pulses in challenging, high pulse count rate conditions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2015

Analysis of 161 Tb by radiochemical separation and liquid scintillation counting

The determination of 161 Tb activity is problematic due to its very low fission yield, short half-life, and the complication of its gamma spectrum. At AWE, radiochemically purified 161 Tb solution was measured on a PerkinElmer 1220 Quantulus TM Liquid Scintillation Spectrometer. Since there was no 161 Tb certified standard solution available commercially, the counting efficiency was determined by the CIEMAT/NIST Efficiency Tracing method. The method was validated during a recent inter-laboratory comparison exercise involving the analysis of a uranium sample irradiated with thermal neutrons. Lastly, the measured 161 Tb result was in excellent agreement with the result using gamma spectrometry and the result obtained by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Chemical stability and Ce doping of LiMgAlF 6 neutron scintillator

We perform density functional calculations to investigate LiMgAlF 6 as a potential neutron scintillator material. The calculations of enthalpy of formation and phase diagram show that single-phase LiMgAlF 6 can be grown but it should be more difficult than growing LiCaAlF 6 and LiSrAlF 6 . Moreover, the formation energy calculations for substitutional Ce show that the concentration of Ce on the Al site is negligible but a high concentration (>1 at.%) of Ce on the Mg site is attainable provided that the Fermi level is more than 5 eV lower than the conduction band minimum. Acceptor doping should promote Ce incorporation in LiMgAlF 6 .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Scintillation properties of Eu 2+ -doped KBa 2 I 5 and K 2 BaI 4

We report two new ternary metal halide scintillators, KBa 2 I 5 and K 2 BaI 4 , activated with divalent europium. Single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed that KBa 2 I 5 has a monoclinic structure (P2 1 /c) and that K 2 BaI 4 has a rhombohedral structure (R3c). Differential scanning calorimetry showed singular melting and crystallization points, making these compounds viable candidates for melt growth. We grew 13 mm diameter single crystals of KBa 2 I 5 :Eu 2+ and K 2 BaI 4 :Eu2+ in evacuated quartz ampoules via the vertical Bridgman technique. The optimal Eu 2+ concentration was 4% for KBa 2 I 5 and 7% for K 2 BaI 4 . The X-ray excited emissions at 444 nm for KBa 2 I 5 :Eu 4% and 448 nm for K 2 BaI 4 :Eu 7% arise from the 5d-4f radiative transition in Eu 2+ . KBa 2 I 5 :Eu 4% has a light yield of 90,000 photons/MeV, with an energy resolution of 2.4% and K 2 BaI 4 :Eu 7% has a light yield of 63,000 ph/MeV, with an energy resolution of 2.9% at 662 keV. Both crystals have an excellent proportional response to a wide range of gamma-ray energies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Serrated flow in $\mathrm{NaI:Tl}$ scintillator crystals

We report the serrated-flow behavior is an important phenomenon that unveils material-deformation mechanisms, as reported for various kinds of materials. NaI doped with Tl (NaI:Tl) is unique among scintillation materials in that the structure contains glide planes that are linked to serration behavior. In the present work, single crystals of NaI:Tl were subjected to room-temperature compression experiments at different strain rates. The serrated flow was observed, and complexity and multifractal analyses were performed to analyze the serration behavior. The findings revealed that the strain rate had a pronounced effect on the complexity and multifractality of the serrated flow, similar to what has been found in other alloy systems. The results also indicate that there may be a strong link between the complexity of the serrated flow behavior and the heterogeneity of the underlying dynamics. It is expected that the present work could be a step toward a better understanding of the deformation behavior and forgeability of NaI:Tl single crystals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Hydrothermal growth and scintillation properties of γ-CuBr single crystals

Highlights: • Transparent γ-CuBr single crystal with regular shape was successfully grown by hydrothermal method. • The x-ray excited optical luminescence of the γ-CuBr crystal, which exhibits an intensive 430 nm emission, is first reported. • The average decay time of the 430 nm emission is 36.9 ns. - Abstract: A fast scintillation crystal, γ-CuBr, was successfully grown by hydrothermal method with NH{sub 4}Br mineralizer. The element mole ratio of the Cu/Br crystal was about 0.91 caused by the crystal grown in a rich bromine environment. Under ultraviolet excitation, the crystal exhibited an intense 420 nm emission, a shoulder emission at 428 nm and a weak broadband emission at 560 nm, which could be related to free exciton recombination, Cu and Br vacancies, respectively. Furthermore, the X-ray excited optical luminescence of the crystal was first reported, and a strong 430 nm emission was observed. The analysis of luminescence decay kinetics revealed that the 430 nm emission is composed of two components with an average decay time of 36.9 ns. It means that the γ-CuBr crystal is a promising candidate for applications in fast radiation detection.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2013

Neutron light output response and resolution functions in EJ-309 liquid scintillation detectors

Here, the neutron light output response functions and detector resolution functions were measured at Ohio University's tandem Van de Graaff generator for three cylindrical EJ-309 liquid scintillator cells, having dimensions 12.7(circle divide)-by-12.7, 7.6-by-7.6, and 7.6-by-5.1 cm. A 7.44 MeV deuteron beam was used on an Al-27 target generating a continuous spectrum over the energy range from a few hundred keV to over 10 MeV. The light output response functions are determined using an exponential fit. Detector resolution functions are obtained for the 12.7-by-12.7 and 7.6-by-7.6 cm detectors. It is demonstrated that the dependence on detector size is important for the light output response functions, but not to the same extent for the resolution function, even when photomultiplier tubes, detector material, and other detector characteristics are carefully matched.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

An alpha–gamma coincidence spectrometer based on the Photon–Electron Rejecting Alpha Liquid Scintillation (PERALS®) system

Here, an alpha–gamma coincidence spectrometer has been developed for the measurement of selected actinide isotopes in the presence of high beta/gamma fields. The system is based on a PERALS® liquid scintillation counter for beta/alpha discrimination and was successfully tested with both high purity germanium and bismuth germanate, gamma-ray detectors using conventional analog electronics.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Neutron response function characterization of 4 He scintillation detectors

Time-of-flight measurements were conducted to characterize the neutron energy response of pressurized 4He fast neutron scintillation detectors for the first time, using the Van de Graaff generator at Ohio University. The time-of-flight spectra and pulse height distributions were measured. This data was used to determine the light output response function, which was found to be linear at energies below 3.5 MeV. The intrinsic efficiency of the detector as a function of incident energy was also calculated: the average efficiency up to 10 MeV was 3.1%, with a maximum efficiency of 6.6% at 1.05 MeV. Furthermore, these results will enable development of neutron spectrum unfolding algorithms for neutron spectroscopy applications with these detectors.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Pulse height model for deuterated scintillation detectors

This work includes the theoretical calculation of pulse height distribution and elaborate measurement at Ohio University using deuterated organic scintillation detector, which allows us to thoroughly investigate the light output spectrum induced by fast neutrons and convincingly compensate the pulse deficiency due to application of threshold to minimize noises either from electronics or environmental background. Specifically, a complete and self-contained analytic model of pulse height distribution for EJ-315 is created. In the model, considering impacts of detector geometry on light output and neutron leakage, a non-uniform angular distribution is also taken into account. An energy range of incident neutron from 1 MeV to 10 MeV is investigated. In return, based on the Peierls-formula, the completed calculation exhibits quantitative probability of fast neutron slowing down history due to stochastic collisions with carbon or deuterium nuclei. The quantitative collision probability conjoining with light output function, which was measured and corrected in view of detector response to several gamma rays, for continuous neutron flux generated by the tandem Van De Graaff Generator gives the light output for various collisions. Furthermore, the individual collision structure of the light pulse spectrum is analyzed and compared to the corresponding pulse height distribution from experimental measurement. Lastly, the resulting light pulse height distribution generated in this model offers intriguing advantages for identifying or characterizing nuclear materials and estimating potentials of various fast recoil detectors.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Time and position resolution of the scintillator strips for a muon system at future colliders

In this study, prototype scintilator+WLS strips with SiPM readout for a muon system at future colliders were tested for light yield, time resolution and position resolution. Depending on the configuration, light yield of up to 36 photoelectrons per muon per SiPM has been observed, as well as time resolution of 0.45 ns and position resolution along the strip of 7.7 cm.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Test beam studies of the light yield, time and coordinate resolutions of scintillator strips with WLS fibers and SiPM readout

Prototype scintilator+WLS strips with SiPM readout for large muon detection systems were tested in the muon beam of the Fermilab Test Beam Facility. Furthermore, light yield of up to 137 photoelectrons per muon per strip has been observed, as well as time resolution of 330 ps and position resolution along the strip of 5.4 cm.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2017

A new measurement of the 6 Li(n,α)t cross section at MeV energies using a 252 Cf fission chamber and 6 Li scintillators

We present a new measurement of the 6 Li(n,α)t cross section from 245 keV to 10 MeV using a 252 Cf fission chamber with 6 LiI(Eu) and Cs 2 LiYCl 6 :Ce (CLYC) scintillators which act as both target and detector. Neutron energies are determined from the time of flight (TOF) method using the signals from spontaneous fission and reaction product recoil. Simulations of neutron downscatter in the crystals and fission chamber bring 6 Li(n,α)t cross section values measured with the 6 LiI(Eu) into agreement with previous experiments and evaluations, except for two resonances at 4.2 and 6.5 MeV introduced by ENDF/B-VII.1. Suspected neutron transport modeling issues cause the cross section values obtained with CLYC to be discrepant above 2 MeV.

252Cf fission chamber↗