LIST-mode applications for neutron multiplicity counting

Abstract

In recent years, the data acquisition in neutron multiplicity measurements is rapidly changing from traditional shift-register electronics into fully digital LIST-mode acquisition machinery, allowing us to digitally record the detection time of each neutron.In the present study, we introduce two novel applications to the LIST-mode acquisition in neutron multiplicity counting. In the first application, we estimate the statistical uncertainty of the measurement using bootstrap analysis, and in the second application, we use the LIST mode acquisition to preform dead time corrections using a backward extrapolation technique.The applications were first tested by computer based simulations, and later applied to actual low mass fissile measurements conducted by the Institute of Isotopes in Hungary, showing satisfactory results.The methods presented in this study, while fairly easy to implement and do not require any prior calibration, often provide increased accuracy and higher reliability, when compared to the current methods traditionally used for shift-register multiplicity measurements.