Simulation study on performance optimization of a prototype scintillation detector for the GRANDProto35 experiment

As a proposed detector,the giant radio array for neutrino detection(GRAND)is primarily designed to discover and study the origin of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays,with ultra-high-energy neutrinos presenting the main method for detecting ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and their sources.The main principle is to detect radio emissions generated by ultra-high-energy neutrinos interacting with the atmosphere as they travel.GRAND is the largest neutrino detection array to be built in China.GRANDProto35,as the first stage of the GRAND experiment,is a coincidence array composed of radio antennas and a scintillation detector,the latter of which,as a traditional detector,is used to perform cross-validation with radio detection,thus verifying the radio detection efficiency and enabling study of the background exclusion method.This study focused on the implementation of the optimization simulation and experimental testing of the performance of the prototype scintillation detector used in GRANDProto35.A package based on GEANT4 was used to simulate the details of the scintillation detector,including the optical properties of its materials,the height of the light guide box,and position inhomogeneity.The surface of the scintillator and the reflective materials used in the detector was optimized,and the influence of light guide heights and position inhomogeneity on the energy and time resolutions of the detector was studied.According to the simulation study,the number of scintillator photoelectrons increased when changing from the polished surface to the ground surface,with the appropriate design height for the light guide box being 50 cm and the appropriate design area for the scintillator being 0.5 m^(2).The performance of the detector was tested in detail through a coincidence experiment,and the test results showed that the number of photoelectrons collected in the detector was$84 with a time resolution of~1 ns,indicating good performance.The simulation results were consistent with those obtained from the tests,which also verified the reliability of the simulation software.These studies provided a full understanding of the performance of the scintillation detector and guidance for the subsequent operation and analysis of the GRANDProto35 experimental array.

Improve the Efficiency of Scintillation Detectors Using Reflectors Based on Photonic Crystals Arrays

In the present work, we designed the new type of photonic crystals (PCs) as reflectors. Reflections from single layer of Al2O3/MgO PC help us in recapturing the light that does escape from the scintillation surface. Photonic crystals in one dimension array of Al2O3 and MgO with silver at periodicities N = 1, 2 and 3 were used as a reflector around the surface of the scintillation volume. Scintillation detectors are widely used in nuclear medicine. The efficiency is an important parameter for characterizing the capability of the detectors. The counting efficiency of the detectors depends on the light emission induced by radiation. The light then was converted by the photomultiplier tube into electrical pulses. The efficiency may increase by an amount of 1.64% if MgO-Ag photonic crystals are used at periodicity N = 1 as a reflector.

Data-driven simultaneous vertex and energy reconstruction for large liquid scintillator detectors

High-precision vertex and energy reconstruction are crucial for large liquid scintillator detectors such as that at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory(JUNO),especially for the determination of neutrino mass ordering by analyzing the energy spectrum of reactor neutrinos.This paper presents a data-driven method to obtain a more realistic and accurate expected PMT response of positron events in JUNO and develops a simultaneous vertex and energy reconstruction method that combines the charge and time information of PMTs.For the JUNO detector,the impact of the vertex inaccuracy on the energy resolution is approximately 0.6%.

Performance optimization of scintillator neutron detectors for EMD in CSNS

Chinese Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS) has successfully produced its first neutron beam in 28th August 2017. It has been running steadily from March, 2018. According to the construction plan, the engineering materials diffractometer(EMD) will be installed between 2019–2023. This instrument requires the neutron detectors with the cover area near3 m2in two 90° neutron diffraction angle positions, the neutron detecting efficiency is better than 40%@1A, and the spatial resolution is better than 4 mm×200 mm in horizontal and vertical directions respectively. We have developed a onedimensional position-sensitive neutron detector based on the oblique6Li F/Zn S(Ag) scintillators, wavelength shifting fibers,and Si PMs(silicon photomultipliers) readout. The inhomogeneity of the neutron detection efficiency between each pixel and each detector module, which caused by the inconsistency of the wave-length shifting fibers in collecting scintillation photons, needs to be mitigated before the installation. A performance optimization experiment of the detector modules was carried out on the BL20(beam line 20) of CSNS. Using water sample, the neutron beam with Φ5 mm exit hole was dispersed related evenly into the forward space. According to the neutron counts of each pixel of the detector module, the readout electronics threshold of each pixel is adjusted. Compared with the unadjusted detector module, the inhomogeneity of the detection efficiency for the adjusted one has been improved from 69% to 90%. The test result of the diffraction peak of the standard sample Si showed that the adjusted detector module works well.

An inversion decomposition method for better energy resolution of NaI(Tl)scintillation detectors based on a Gaussian response matrix

NaI(T1) scintillation detectors have been widely applied for gamma-ray spectrum measurements owing to advantages such as high detection efficiency and low price.However,the mitigation of the limited energy resolution of these detectors,which detracts from an accurate analysis of the instrument spectra obtained,remains a crucial need.Based on the physical properties and spectrum formation processes of NaI(T1) scintillation detectors,the detector response to gamma photons with different energies is represented by photopeaks that are approximately Gaussian in shape with unique full-width-at-half-maximum(FWHM) values.The FWHM is established as a detector parameter based on resolution calibrations and is used in the construction of a general Gaussian response matrix,which is employed for the inverse decomposition of gamma spectra obtained from the detector.The Gold and Boosted Gold iterative algorithms are employed to accelerate the decomposition of the measured spectrum.Tests of the inverse decomposition method on multiple simulated overlapping peaks and on experimentally obtained U and Th radionuclide series spectra verify the practicability of the method,particularly in the low-energy region of the spectrum,providing for the accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of radionuclides.

An inversion decomposition test based on Monte Carlo response matrix on the γ-ray spectra from NaI(Tl) scintillation detector

The Na I(Tl) scintillation detector has a number of unique advantages, including wide use, high light yield,and its low price. It is difficult to obtain the decomposition of instrument response spectrum because of limitations associated with the Na I(Tl) scintillation detector's energy resolution. This paper, based on the physical process of c photons released from decay nuclides, generating an instrument response spectrum, uses the Monte Carlo method to simulate c photons with Na I(Tl) scintillation detector interaction. The Monte Carlo response matrix is established by different single energy γ-rays with detector effects. The Gold and the improved Boosted-Gold iterative algorithms have also been used in this paper to solve the response matrix parameters through decomposing tests,such as simulating a multi-characteristic energy c-ray spectrum and simulating synthesized overlapping peaks cray spectrum. An inversion decomposition of the c instrument response spectrum for measured samples(U series, Th series and U–Th mixed sources, among others)can be achieved under the response matrix. The decomposing spectrum can be better distinguished between the similar energy characteristic peaks, which improve the error levels of activity analysis caused by the overlapping peak with significant effects.

Development of a scintillation detector for real-time measurement of space proton effective dose

In this study, a scintillation detector was developed to measure the space proton effective dose for astronauts based on the proton effective dose conversion coefficients provided by International Commission on Radiological Protection Report No. 116. In the Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code X(version 2.6.0) simulation process, by modulating the depth and solid angle of truncated conical holes in an iron shell from lower-energy protons to higher-energy protons, the energy deposited in the scintillator by isotropic protons was nearly proportional to the corresponding effective dose, with a maximum relative deviation of 13.28% at thirteen energy points in the energy range of 10–400 MeV. Therefore, the detector can monitor proton effective dose indirectly in real time by measuring the deposited energy. We calibrated the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the detector at the cobalt source, tested the response of the detector in the energy range of 30–100 MeV in unidirectional proton field, and validated the simulation with the experimental results.

HPGe and Scintillation Detectors Comparisons on Waste Drums Radioactivity Measurement

Two measurement systems, one being comprised of three HPGe detectors and the other being a 4π measurement system of the assembly of 10 sets of scintillation detectors, were compared for their measurement performance in operations of radioactive waste drum radioactivity measurement and clearance and release operation of decommissioning. The system features of the former were high costs, capable of identifying radionuclides, a measurement time of about 1000 sec. The system features of the latter were high sensibility, capable of identifying hotspots, a measurement time of about 100 sec. Various comparisons were made for the differences of the two systems on reference drums, whole-drum homogeneous and non-homogeneous metal drums and non-metal drums, whole-drums of different filling rates. The aim was to compare the differences of the two measurement systems in measuring radioactivity of critical radionuclides of 137Cs, 54Mn and 60Co.

5-21 A Large Area Plastic Scintillation Detector with 4-corner-readout

Large area plastic scintillation detectors are applied widely in modern physics labs due to the development of the time-of-flight technique. They are usually constructed with a module array design, such as the TOF Wall. The performance of such detectors is excellent, but the number of electronics channels is quite large, and the operation and calibration are too complicated. As a result, a large area plastic scintillation detector with only 4 readout signals from the corners is constructed and developed as a simple TOF Wall at ETF in IMP.

Calibration and Unfolding of the Pulse Height Spectra of Liquid Scintillator-Based Neutron Detectors Using Photon Sources

An accurate energy calibration of a 5＂× 2＂ BC501A liquid scintillator-based neutron detector by means of photon sources and the unfolding of pulse height spectra are described. The photon responses were measured with 22Na, 137Cs and 54Mn photon sources and simulated using the GRESP code, which was developed at the Physiknlisch Technische Bundesanstalt in Germany. Pulse height spectra produced by three different photon sources were employed to investigate the effects of the unfolding techniques. It was found that the four unfolding codes of the HEPRO and UMG3.3 packages, including GRAVEL, UNFANA, MIEKE and MAXED, performed well with the test spectra and produced generally consistent results. They could therefore be used to obtain neutron energy spectra in toknmak experiments.

Event vertex and time reconstruction in large-volume liquid scintillator detectors

Large-volume liquid scintillator detectors with ultra-low background levels have been widely used to study neutrino physics and search for dark matter.Event vertex and event time are not only useful for event selection but also essential for the reconstruction of event energy.In this study,four event vertex and event time reconstruction algorithms using charge and time information collected by photomultiplier tubes were analyzed comprehensively.The effects of photomultiplier tube properties were also investigated.The results indicate that the transit time spread is the main effect degrading the vertex reconstruction,while the effect of dark noise is limited.In addition,when the event is close to the detector boundary,the charge information provides better performance for vertex reconstruction than the time information.

Monte-Carlo simulation to determine detector efficiency of plastic scintillating fiber

Fundamental characteristics of the plastic scintillating fiber (PSF) as a detector for electromagnetic radiation (X & γ) are obtained by GEANT4 detector simulation tool package. The detector response to radiation with energy of 10~400 keV is found out. Energy deposition as well as detector efficiency (DE) of the PSF are studied. In order to make linear array of the PSF for imaging purpose, the optimum length of fiber is also estimated.

Improvement of machine learning-based vertex reconstruction for large liquid scintillator detectors with multiple types of PMTs

The precise vertex reconstruction for large liquid scintillator detectors is essential.A novel machine learning-based method was successfully developed to reconstruct an event vertex in JUNO.In this study,the performance of machine learning-based vertex reconstruction was further improved by optimizing the input images of neural networks.By separating the information of different types of PMTs and adding the information of the second hit of PMTs,the vertex resolution was improved by approximately 9.4% at 1 MeV and 9.8% at 11 MeV.

Image quality evaluation of linear plastic scintillating fiber array detector for X-ray imaging

It is important to assess image quality, in order to ensure that the imaging system is performing optimally and also identify the weak points in an imaging system. Three parameters mostly leading to image degradation are contrast, spatial resolution and noise. There is always a trade-off between spatial resolution and signal to noise ratio, but in scintillating fiber array detectors spatial resolution is not as important as signal to noise ratio, so we paid more attention to contrast and SNR of the system. By using GEANT4 Monte Carlo detector simulation toolkit, some effec- tive parameters of the linear plastic scintillating fiber (PSF) array as an imaging detector were investigated. Finally we show that it is possible to use this kind of detector to take CT and DR (Digital Radiography) image under certain conditions.

Calibration of the DAMPE Plastic Scintillator Detector and its on-orbit performance

The DArk Matter Particle Explorer(DAMPE) is a space-borne apparatus for detecting the highenergy cosmic-ray-like electrons, γ-rays, protons and heavy ions. The Plastic Scintillator Detector(PSD)is the top-most sub-detector of the DAMPE. The PSD is designed to measure the charge of incident highenergy particles and it also serves as a veto detector for discriminating γ-rays from charged particles. In this paper, a PSD on-orbit calibration procedure is described, which includes the five steps of pedestal, dynode correlation, response to minimum-ionizing particles, light attenuation function and energy reconstruction.A method for reconstructing the charge of incident high energy cosmic-ray particles is introduced. The detection efficiency of each PSD strip is verified to be above 99.5%; the total efficiency of the PSD for charged particles is above 99.99%.

In-situ evaluation for activated concrete in accelerator facility with scintillation-type gamma-ray spectrometer

The assessment of activated concrete is particularly difficult during the decommissioning of an accelerator facility.Destructive analysis by core boring is the only method of investigating the activity of concrete material.To address this problem,an in-situ and nondestructive analysis method was developed to determineγ-ray-emitting nuclides and their specific activities in the concrete walls and floor by using a portable germanium semiconductor detector.In this work,we examined a substitute for Ge detector to establish a simpler and more convenient method.As candidates,we focused on some scintillation type spectrometers,and the possibility of a substitute for a Ge detector was examined by both simulation and experiment.The detection limits were roughly estimated through Monte Carlo simulation for various scintillation crystals,and it was found that 1.5-inch LaBr3,CeBr3,and SrI2 could distinguish the clearance level.It was confirmed that the 1.5-inch LaBr3 could reproduce the calibration curve of the Ge detector in the experiment.The required thickness and length of the radiation shield for suppressing the background radiation during the measurement was also determined for the convenience of an actual decommissioning work.

5-20 Preliminary Results of In-orbit test for Plastic Scintillator Detector of DAMPE

As a key subdetector of dark matter particles explorer(DAMPE), Plastic Scintillator Detector(PSD) play an important role in distinguishing electrons and photons events and probing heavy ion species up to Z=20[1]. DAMPE satellite was launched on Dec.17th2015 successfully, after that DAMPE powered up for front end electronics(FEEs) and for photomultiplier tubes(PMTs) with high voltage of payload on Dec.20th and Dec.24th, respectively.

5-29 Readout System for the Plastic Scintillator Detector of DAMPE

The Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is a novel detection equipment for spaceborne astroparticle physics experiment, launched on 17 December 2015. The main scienti c objective of DAMPE is to detect electrons and photons in the range of 5 GeV10 TeV in order to identify possible Dark Matter signatures. It will also measure the ux of nuclei up to above 500 TeV with excellent energy resolution, which will bring new insights to the origin and propagation high energy cosmic rays[1]. The DAMPE detector, as shown in Fig. 1 is composed of a Plastic Scintillator Detector array (PSD), a Silicon{Tungsten Tracker (STK), a BGO calorimeter, and a neutron detector(NUD).

5-31 Plastic Scintillator Detector Calibration Circuit for DAMPE

A new satellite – that will help humanity to unravel the mysteries of the “Dark Matter” – was launched on Thursday Dec. 7. 2015 by China. The launch of the DAMPE satellite took place at 00:12 UTC at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The new satellite will run in a sun-synchronous orbit with an altitude of 500 km and an inclination of 97.4? with 3 a lifetime.

Unambiguously Resolving the Potential Neutrino Magnetic Moment Signal at Large Liquid Scintillator Detectors

Non-vanishing electromagnetic properties of neutrinos have been predicted by many theories beyond the Standard Model, and an enhanced neutrino magnetic moment can have profound implications for fundamental physics. The XENON1T experiment recently detected an excess of electron recoil events in the 1–7 keV energy range, which can be compatible with solar neutrino magnetic moment interaction at a most probable value of μ_(v) = 2.1 × 10^(-11)μ_(B).However, tritium backgrounds or solar axion interaction in this energy window are equally plausible causes.Upcoming multi-tonne noble liquid detectors will test these scenarios more in depth, but will continue to face similar ambiguity. We report a unique capability of future large liquid scintillator detectors to help resolve the potential neutrino magnetic moment scenario. With O(100) kton·year exposure of liquid scintillator to solar neutrinos, a sensitivity of μ_(v) < 10^(-11)μ_(B) can be reached at an energy threshold greater than 40 keV, where no tritium or solar axion events but only neutrino magnetic moment signal is still present.