Fast pulse sampling module for real-time neutron–gamma discrimination

An adaptable and compact fast pulse sampling module was developed for the neutron–gamma discrimination. The developed module is well suited for low-cost and low-power consumption applications. It is based on the Domino Ring Sampler 4(DRS4) chip, which offers fast sampling speeds up to 5.12 giga samples per second(GSPS) to digitize pulses from front-end detectors. The high-resolution GSPS data is useful for obtaining precise real-time neutron–gamma discrimination results directly in this module. In this study, we have implemented real-time data analysis in a field programmable gate array. Real-time data analysis involves two aspects: digital waveform integral and digital pulse shape discrimination(PSD). It can significantly reduce the system dead time and data rate processed offline. Plastic scintillators(EJ-299-33), which have proven capable of PSD, were adopted as neutron detectors in the experiments. A photomultiplier tube(PMT)(model #XP2020) was coupled to one end of a detector to collect the output light from it. The pulse output from the anode of the PMT was directly passed onto the fast sampling module. The fast pulse sampling module was operated at 1 GSPS and 2 GSPS in these experiments, and the AmBe-241 source was used to examine the neutron–gamma discrimination quality. The PSD results with different sampling rates and energy thresholds were evaluated. The figure of merit(FOM) was used to describe the neutron–gamma discrimination quality. The best FOM value of 0.91 was obtained at 2 GSPS and 1 GSPS sampling rates with an energy threshold of 1.5 MeV_(ee)(electron equivalent).

A QTC-based signal readout for position-sensitive multi-output detectors

A new signal readout method for position-sensitive multi-output detectors,such as those in high-energy spectroscopy measurement and nuclear imaging,was developed by combining the charge division circuit,summing circuit and charge-to-time conversion(QTC) circuit.The 64 outputs of a Hamamatsu H8500 position-sensitive photomultiplier tube were processed,and three digital pulses were generated.The widths of digital pulses were determined using the time-to-digital converter in an field programmable gate array.The energy and position information of incident y-rays is estimated based on the proportionality between the width of digital pulses and input charge created by y-photons.A prototype was built using discrete components and tested,and the energy and position resolutions were improved compared with that obtained with standard ADCs.This method greatly simplifies the front-end electronics and the digital interface.It enables a compact electronics system and an easy integration into an ASIC.

Development of a fast neutron spectrometer based on a plastic fiber array

Objective A three-dimensional position-sensitive fast neutron spectrometer is designed to measure fast neutron spectrum over 10 MeV.Methods The detector consists of a 16×16 mutually perpendicular plastic scintillation fiber array coupled to 2×2 Hamamatsu H8500C position-sensitive photomultiplier tubes by optical fibers.The fiber array is fabricated with 0.5 mm×3 mm fibers and 3-mm square fibers.Results Due to the combined application of different sizes of fibers,the detector can broaden energy dynamic range and meanwhile have good detection efficiency.The method of the combined application of different sizes of plastic fibers in the array may provide a solution to measure wider energy range of solar neutrons.Conclusion In this paper,we used FLUKA to simulate the performance of the detector model and report the results of experimental studies with neutrons from a pulsed D-T neutron.