Neutron Detector System Using Cross Fiber Scintillators

75320-New types of neutron detector technologies are required for the next generation of neutron sources in the United States, embodied at two extremes in size by the SNS national laboratory and the regional university-based LENS facility. For many neutron scattering instruments, detector specifications call for high rate capability, large area coverage, high spatial resolution, and low gamma sensitivity. Currently, no detector satisfies this demanding set of requirements. This project will demonstrate that a detector consisting of a scintillator with two perpendicular arrays of wavelength-shifting optical fibers can meet this set of requirements. The configuration is as follows: neutrons are incident on the front face of the scintillator, and scintillation light is collected in two perpendicular arrays of wavelength-shifting fibers mounted on the back face of the scintillator. The fibers conduct the scintillation light to multi-anode photomultiplier tubes (MAPMTs). Electronics decode the analog pulse information from the MAPMTs and determine the coordinates of the neutron capture event. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Improved neutron detection devices, capable of higher count rates and improved position resolution, should improve the quality of data acquired at many neutron science instruments, and expand the scope of scientific research at these facilities. The same detectors also would greatly improve our effectiveness in the nuclear nonproliferation and national security arenas: the presence of neutrons is a unique signature of potential nuclear weaponry.