High-precision digital time-amplitude analysis system for the neutron Time-Of-Flight spectrometer in HL-2M

Abstract

Neutron time-of-flight (TOF) spectrometers are widely used for neutron diagnostics in large-scale fusion facilities. However, traditional amplitude and time analysis methods are limited in terms of resolution, flexibility, and other factors. To overcome these limitations, we propose the Digital Time-Amplitude Analysis (DTAA) system, which combines the advantages of both methods by using a high-performance FPGA for real-time time and amplitude analysis of particle pulses. The DTAA system provides accurate timing and pulse shape information, fast processing speed, and low implementation cost. We have also developed a multi-mode data joint time-of-flight correction algorithm and verified its performance through simulation. The DTAA system passed laboratory and tokamak tests, achieving a time measurement precision of 122 ps and accurately measuring neutron counts in tokamak experiments. This work represents a key step towards comprehensive high-performance integrated particle pulse analysis.