Abstract
Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing (CRNS) is a powerful technique that allows non-invasive monitoring of soil moisture on length scales well matched for agricultural applications. One factor limiting the use of the technique within industrial agriculture settings is the high initial cost of Helium-3 or BF3 tubes typically used for ground level neutron monitoring. This paper discusses the use of Geant4 to design and optimise an alternative scintillator based epi-thermal neutron detector that may be applicable for challenges where cost is a higher driving factor than temporal resolution.
Highlights
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The use of internal reflection inside planar light guides allows large sheets of 6LiF:ZnS to be optically coupled to a Photo-Multiplier Tube (PMT) with a much smaller photo-cathode area as shown in figure 1
It has been demonstrated through simulations and field testing that scintillating thermal neutron detectors based upon 6LiF:ZnS scintillator composites are viable solutions for neutron detection in the region of interest for soil moisture monitoring
Summary
In neutron portal monitor applications, planar wavelength shifting neutron detector configurations have typically been used to build large area systems [17]. The use of internal reflection inside planar light guides allows large sheets of 6LiF:ZnS to be optically coupled to a Photo-Multiplier Tube (PMT) with a much smaller photo-cathode area as shown in figure 1. This helps to reduce the overall cost per unit area of the system. The alternative detector design considered (shown in figure 2), consists of a central light guide assembly, which is wrapped in a scintillating thermal neutron foil, and coupled to an ET-Enterprises ET-9902B 38 mm diameter PMT at one end. A 38 mm diameter solid cylinder, and collections of either seven or nine smaller rods with radii chosen to optimise the coupling to a 38 mm PMT are considered as possible configurations
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