Towards a new generation of solid total-energy detectors for neutron-capture time-of-flight experiments with intense neutron beams
Challenging neutron-capture cross-section measurements of small cross sections and samples with a very limited number of atoms require high-flux time-of-flight facilities. In turn, such facilities need innovative detection setups that are fast, have low sensitivity to neutrons, can quickly recover f...
| Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | article |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Country: | España |
| Institution: | Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC) |
| Repository: | Minerva. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela |
| Language: | English |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:minerva.usc.gal:10347/46371 |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10347/46371 |
| Access Level: | Open access |
| Keyword: | High sensitivity Hybrid setup Neutron capture Stilbene-d12 Γ-ray detectors |
| Summary: | Challenging neutron-capture cross-section measurements of small cross sections and samples with a very limited number of atoms require high-flux time-of-flight facilities. In turn, such facilities need innovative detection setups that are fast, have low sensitivity to neutrons, can quickly recover from the so-called γ-flash, and offer the highest possible detection sensitivity. In this paper, we present several steps towards such advanced systems. Specifically, we describe the performance of a high-sensitivity experimental setup at CERN n_TOF EAR2. It consists of nine sTED detector modules in a compact cylindrical configuration, two conventional used large-volume C6D6 detectors, and one LaCl3(Ce) detector. The performance of these detection systems is compared using 93Nb(n, γ) data. We also developed a detailed GEANT4 Monte Carlo model of the experimental EAR2 setup, which allows for a better understanding of the detector features, including their efficiency determination. This Monte Carlo model has been used for further optimization, thus leading to a new conceptual design of a γ detector array, STAR, based on a deuterated-stilbene crystal array. Finally, the suitability of deuterated-stilbene crystals for the future STAR array is investigated experimentally utilizing a small stilbene-d12 prototype. The results suggest a similar or superior performance of STAR with respect to other setups based on liquid-scintillators, and allow for additional features such as neutron-gamma discrimination and a higher level of customization capability. |
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