Neutron spectroscopy and spectral unfolding with 4He fast neutron scintillators

Abstract

Time-of-flight measurements were performed to determine the 4He pressurized fast neutron scintillation detectors response function and the ability of the detectors to be applied as a spectrometer. An experimentally validated neutron energy response function was used in conjunction with an iterative least squares unfolding technique to unfold a 252Cf spontaneous fission spectrum, a PuBe (α, n) spectrum, and a deuterium–deuterium (D–D) fusion reaction spectrum. The ability of the detectors to retain incident neutron energies makes them suitable for applications such as nuclear non-proliferation and spent nuclear fuel monitoring.