Pulse Shape Differences Research Articles

Nanoparticle ZnS:Ag/6LiF—a new high count rate neutron scintillator with pulse shape discrimination

A neutron sensitive scintillator employing nanoparticles of ZnS:Ag has been developed for the first time. Pulse shape differences between neutron and gamma signals were observed in this material and neutron-gamma discrimination was applied. With initial signal processing parameters, gamma sensitivities of 8.5×10−6 to 60Co gammas were achieved. The average primary decay of neutron scintillation in nanoparticle ZnS:Ag/6LiF was measured to be 18ns, and afterglow was significantly suppressed in comparison to standard ZnS:Ag/6LiF scintillators that employ micron sized ZnS:Ag. Fast decay times and minimal afterglow indicate potential for use in high count rate capability applications. Prospective count rate capabilities were investigated here as proof of concept, with rates of 1.12Mcps measured for a single readout channel with less than 3.5% count loss. This is approximately 70 times greater than the count rate capability of the current standard ZnS:Ag/6LiF scintillation detectors. With improvements to signal processing and scintillator composition, nanoparticle ZnS:Ag/6LiF could be a promising candidate for future high rate capability neutron detectors.

Technique for the measurement of intrinsic pulse-shape discrimination for organic scintillators using tagged neutrons

Fast-neutron/gamma-ray pulse-shape discrimination has been performed for the organic liquid scintillators NE 213A and EJ 305 using a time-of-flight based neutron-tagging technique and waveform digitization on an event-by-event basis. Gamma-ray sources and a Geant4-based simulation were used to calibrate the scintillation-light yield. The difference in pulse shape for the neutron and gamma-ray events was analyzed by integrating selected portions of the digitized waveform to produce a figure-of-merit for neutron/gamma-ray separation. This figure-of-merit has been mapped as a function of detector threshold and also of neutron energy determined from time-of-flight. It shows clearly that the well-established pulse-shape discrimination capabilities of NE 213A are superior to those of EJ 305. The extra information provided by the neutron-tagging technique has resulted in a far more detailed assessment of the pulse-shape-discrimination capabilities of these organic scintillators.

Technique for the measurement of intrinsic pulse-shape discrimination for organic scintillators using tagged neutrons

Fast-neutron/gamma-ray pulse-shape discrimination has been performed for the organic liquid scintillators NE 213A and EJ 305 using a time-of-flight based neutron-tagging technique and waveform digitization on an event-by-event basis. Gamma-ray sources and a Geant4-based simulation were used to calibrate the scintillation-light yield. The difference in pulse shape for the neutron and gamma-ray events was analysed by integrating selected portions of the digitized waveform to produce a figure-of-merit for neutron/gamma-ray separation. This figure-of-merit has been mapped as a function of detector threshold and also of neutron energy determined from time-of-flight. It shows clearly that the well-established pulse-shape discrimination capabilities of NE 213A are superior to those of EJ 305. The extra information provided by the neutron-tagging technique has resulted in a far more detailed assessment of the pulse-shape discrimination capabilities of these organic scintillators.

Ionization-density-dependent Scintillation Pulse Shape and Mechanism of Luminescence Quenching in LaBr 3 :Ce

Pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) is usually achieved using the different fast and slow decay components of inorganic scintillators, such as BaF2, CsI:Tl, etc. However, LaBr3:Ce is considered to not possess different components at room temperature, but has been proved to have the capability of discriminating {\gamma} and {\alpha} events using fast digitizers. In this paper, ionization-density-dependent transport and rate equations are used to quantitatively model the competing processes in a particle track. With one parameter set, the model reproduces the nonproportionality response of electrons or {\alpha} particles, and explains the measured {\alpha} and {\gamma} pulse-shape difference well. In particular, the nonlinear quenching of excited dopant ions, Ce3+, is confirmed herein to mainly contribute observable ionization {\alpha} and {\gamma} pulse-shape differences. Further study of the luminescence quenching can also help to better understand the fundamental physics of nonlinear quenching and thus improve the crystal engineering. Moreover, based on the mechanism of dopant quenching, the ionization-density-dependent pulse-shape differences in other fast single-decay-component inorganic scintillators, such as lutetium yttrium oxyorthosilicate, Lu2(1-x)Y2xSiO5:Ce (LYSO) and CeBr3, are also predicted and verified with experiments.

Pulse shape discrimination of photons and neutrons in the energy range of 0.1 – 2 GeV with the KOTO un-doped CsI calorimeter

A pulse shape difference between photons and neutrons was observed in the output signals of scintillation light from the un-doped CsI calorimeter of the KOTO experiment for the KL→π0νν̄ decay. We developed a discrimination method to reject neutrons and to accept photons in the deposited energy range from 0.1 to 2 GeV. The method rejects 67% of neutron-induced single hadronic clusters and 86% of neutron-induced two-cluster events while keeping more than 90% of photon-induced single electromagnetic clusters and two-photon events.

Self-absorption and Phonon Pulse Shape Discrimination in Scintillating Bolometers

We show that self-absorption of photons in scintillating bolometers can differentiate phonon pulse shapes between $$\alpha$$ (or nuclear recoil) and $$\beta /\gamma$$ signals. This enables phonon pulse shape discrimination for particle identification. We establish a detector signal model that includes self-absorption and compare the simulated phonon pulse shapes with previously reported experimental results. The model predicts increase in pulse shape difference at higher self-absorption. Based on this result, we propose a new design of scintillating bolometers using 4$$\pi$$ light reflectors for maximized self-absorption and only a single phonon readout, instead of light detectors that are typically employed for particle discrimination in scintillating bolometers.

Liquid Xenon detector R&D for 0v2ß search (KamXP)

The R&D for a new type of liquid xenon (LXe) detector is ongoing to search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay (0v2β). As a result of the KamLAND-Zen experiment, it is very important to realize the all active region detector for the energy deposition of the radiation. Newly developed additional BG reduction techniques will improve the sensitivity of 0v2β search in the future. Our detector concept is LXe stored in a new type of plastic scintillator vessel. The wavelength of LXe scintillation light is shifted to visible light from 175nm (VUV) on the inner surface of the vessel. Therefore, the LXe scintillation light can be detected by photon sensors which are far away from the 0v2β target nuclei. The pulse shape difference between LXe and plastic scintillator is used for the additional BG reduction. In the future, 8B solar neutrino events will be one of the dominant BGs in 0v2β search. To reduce the 8B solar neutrino BG, the directional information of the Cherenkov light might be useful. The status of LXe detector R&D to improve the sensitivity of 0v2β search is reported.

Hadronic vs. electromagnetic pulse shape discrimination in CsI(Tl) for high energy physics experiments

Pulse shape discrimination using CsI(Tl) scintillators to perform neutral hadron particle identification is explored with emphasis towards application at high energy electron-positron collider experiments. Through the analysis of the pulse shape differences between scintillation pulses from photon and hadronic energy deposits using neutron and proton data collected at TRIUMF, it is shown that the pulse shape variations observed for hadrons can be modelled using a third scintillation component for CsI(Tl), in addition to the standard fast and slow components. Techniques for computing the hadronic pulse amplitudes and shape variations are developed and it is shown that the intensity of the additional scintillation component can be computed from the ionization energy loss of the interacting particles. These pulse modelling and simulation methods are integrated with GEANT4 simulation libraries and the predicted pulse shape for CsI(Tl) crystals in a 5 × 5 array of 5 × 5 × 30 cm3 crystals is studied for hadronic showers from 0.5 and 1 GeV/c KL0 and neutron particles. Using a crystal level and cluster level approach for photon vs. hadron cluster separation we demonstrate proof-of-concept for neutral hadron detection using CsI(Tl) pulse shape discrimination in high energy electron-positron collider experiments.

RESPONSE OF CsI:Pb SCINTILLATOR CRYSTAL TO NEUTRON RADIATION

The helium-3 world crisis requires a development of new methods of neutron detection to replace commonly used 3He proportional counters. In the past decades, great effort was made to developed efficient and fast scintillators to detect radiation. The inorganic scintillator may be an alternative. Inorganic scintillators with much higher density should be selected for optimal neutron detection efficiency taking into consideration the relevant reactions leading to light emission. These detectors should, then, be carefully characterized both experimentally and by means of advanced simulation code. Ideally, the detector should have the capability to separate neutron and gamma induced events either by amplitude or through pulse shape differences. As neutron sources also generate gamma radiation, which can interfere with the measurement, it is necessary that the detector be able to discriminate the presence of such radiation. Considerable progress has been achieved to develop new inorganic scintillators, in particular increasing the light output and decreasing the decay time by optimized doping. Crystals may be found to suit neutron detection. In this report, we will present the results of the study of lead doped cesium iodide crystals (CsI:Pb) grown in our laboratory, using the vertical Bridgman technique. The concentration of the lead doping element (Pb) was studied in the range 5х10-4 M to 10-2 M . The crystals grown were subjected to annealing (heat treatment). In this procedure, vacuum of 10-6 mbar and continuous temperature of 350°C, for 24 hours, were employed. In response to neutron radiation, an AmBe source with energy range of 1 MeV to 12 MeV was used. The activity of the AmBe source was 1Ci Am. The fluency was 2.6 х 106 neutrons/second. The operating voltage of the photomultiplier tube was 1700 V; the accumulation time in the counting process was 600 s and 1800 s. The scintillator crystals used were cut with dimensions of 20 mm diameter and 10 mm height.

Progress Towards Improved Analysis of TES X-ray Data Using Principal Component Analysis

The traditional method of applying a digital optimal filter to measure X-ray pulses from transition-edge sensor (TES) devices does not achieve the best energy resolution when the signals have a highly non-linear response to energy, or the noise is non-stationary during the pulse. We present an implementation of a method to analyze X-ray data from TESs, which is based upon principal component analysis (PCA). Our method separates the X-ray signal pulse into orthogonal components that have the largest variance. We typically recover pulse height, arrival time, differences in pulse shape, and the variation of pulse height with detector temperature. These components can then be combined to form a representation of pulse energy. An added value of this method is that by reporting information on more descriptive parameters (as opposed to a single number representing energy), we generate a much more complete picture of the pulse received. Here we report on progress in developing this technique for future implementation on X-ray telescopes. We used an $$^{55}$$ Fe source to characterize Mo/Au TESs. On the same dataset, the PCA method recovers a spectral resolution that is better by a factor of two than achievable with digital optimal filters.

Digital pulse-shape discrimination applied to an ultra-low-background gas-proportional counting system: first results

A new ultra-low-background proportional counter design was recently developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). This design, along with an ultra-low-background counting system which provides passive and active shielding with radon exclusion, has been developed to complement a new shallow underground laboratory (~30 m water-equivalent) constructed at PNNL. After these steps to mitigate dominant backgrounds (cosmic rays, external gamma-rays, radioactivity in materials), remaining background events do not exclusively arise from ionization of the proportional counter gas. Digital pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) is thus employed to further improve measurement sensitivity. In this work, a template shape is generated for each individual sample measurement of interest, a “self-calibrating” template. Differences in event topology can also cause differences in pulse shape. In this work, the temporal region analyzed for each event is refined to maximize background discrimination while avoiding unwanted sensitivity to event topology. This digital PSD method is applied to sample and background data, and initial measurement results from a biofuel methane sample are presented in the context of low-background measurements currently being developed.

Correlation of Input Parameters with Tool Martial on the Output Parameters of Electrical Discharge Machining Process

This paper details the correlation between the input parameters with the tool material on the machining response in comparison of two different combinations of toolworkpiece material, namely copper-H13 and graphite-H13. The considered machining input parameters included pulse current and pulse on-time, and the investigated characteristics of the machining response were the material removal rate, tool wear, and surface roughness of the workpiece. Furthermore, differences in pulse shapes and process stability between the copper-H13 and graphite-H13 combinations were investigated.

Discrimination of recoil backgrounds in scintillating calorimeters

The alpha decay of 210Po is a dangerous background to rare event searches. Here, we describe observations related to this alpha decay in the Cryogenic Rare Event Search with Superconducting Thermometers (CRESST). We find that lead nuclei show a scintillation light yield in our CaWO 4 crystals of 0.0142 ± 0.0013 relative to electrons of the same energy. We describe a way to discriminate this source of nuclear recoil background by means of a scintillating foil, and demonstrate its effectiveness. This leads to an observable difference in the pulse shape of the light detector, which can be used to tag these events. Differences in pulse shape of the phonon detector between lead and electron recoils are also extracted, opening the window to future additional background suppression techniques based on pulse shape discrimination in such experiments.

Divergence in Multiple Courtship Song Traits between Drosophila santomea and D. yakuba

The courtship song of Drosophila is useful for species recognition and sexual selection. A new species of the melanogaster group of Drosophila, D. santomea, has recently been described from the island of Sao Tomein the Gulf of Guinea. We describe the courtship song of D. santomea and compare it with that of its sibling species D. yakuba. Both species have a relatively unusual song pattern for melanogaster-group species, in that they have two types of pulse song but no sine song. There are large dif- ferences in the inter-pulse interval of both types of song, but no major differences in pulse shape or intrapulse frequency between the species. The song of D. yakuba is similar in lines from the African mainland (allo- patric to D. santomea) and from Sao Tome´ (sympatric). We test if song pattern might influence sexual isolation by examining the mating suc- cess of wingless males with homo- and hetero-specific females. We show that song pattern contributes to sexual stimulation, but the differences in song patterns alone are unlikely to explain patterns of sexual isola- tion such as the asymmetrical isolation seen between species.

A proposed dark matter detector based on scintillation pulse shape differences in high pressure Xe gas

We propose a dark matter detector based on high pressure gas scintillation (HPGS) using Xe as the target gas. Scintillation pulse time constants in Xe gas are an order of magnitude longer for alpha particles than for electron recoils from gammas or betas. If alpha particle pulses are typical also of recoils for heavier nuclei this offers the possibiklity of a room temperature dark matter detector which could be simpler and lower cost than detectors based on liquid xenon, liquid argon, or mK bolometric techniques. Background estimates for Xe gas detectors operating at 5–10 bar show that a single 34 kg detector module could reach a dark matter cross section sensitivity 1E−9 pb, and an array of 15–30 such detectors of total mass 500 kg–1000 kg could reach

Characterization of large volume HPGe detectors. Part II: Experimental results

Measurements on a 12-fold segmented, n-type, large volume, irregular shaped HPGe detector were performed in order to determine the parameters of anisotropic mobility for electrons and holes as charge carriers created by γ -ray interactions. To characterize the electron mobility the complete outer detector surface was scanned in small steps employing photopeak interactions at 60 keV. A precise measurement of the hole drift anisotropy was performed with 356 keV γ -rays. The drift velocity anisotropy and crystal geometry cause considerable rise time differences in pulse shapes depending on the position of the spatial charge carrier creation. Pulse shapes of direct and transient signals are reproduced by weighting potential calculations with high precision. The measured angular dependence of rise times is caused by the anisotropic mobility, crystal geometry, changing field strength and space charge effects. Preamplified signals were processed employing digital spectroscopy electronics. Response functions, crosstalk contributions and averaging procedures were taken into account implying novel methods due to the segmentation of the Ge-crystal and digital signal processing electronics.

ADVERTISEMENT-CALL PREFERENCES IN DIPLOID-TETRAPLOID TREEFROGS (HYLA CHRYSOSCELIS AND HYLA VERSICOLOR): IMPLICATIONS FOR MATE CHOICE AND THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

Signals used for mate choice and receiver preferences are often assumed to coevolve in a lock-step fashion. However, sender-receiver coevolution can also be nonparallel: even if species differences in signals are mainly quantitative, females of some closely related species have qualitatively different preferences and underlying mechanisms. Two-alternative playback experiments using synthetic calls that differed in fine-scale temporal properties identified the receiver criteria in females of the treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis for comparison with female criteria in a cryptic tetraploid species (H. versicolor); detailed preference functions were also generated for both species based on natural patterns of variation in temporal properties. The species were similar in three respects: (1) pulses of constant frequency were as attractive as the frequency-modulated pulses typical of conspecific calls; (2) changes in preferences with temperature paralleled temperature-dependent changes in male calls; and (3) preference functions were unimodal, with weakly defined peaks estimated at values slightly higher than the estimated means in conspecific calls. There were also species differences: (1) preference function slopes were steeper in H. chrysoscelis than in H. versicolor; (2) preferences were more intensity independent in H. chrysoscelis than in H. versicolor; (3) a synergistic effect of differences in pulse rate and shape on preference strength occurred in H. versicolor but not in H. chrysoscelis; and (4) a preference for the pulse shape typical of conspecific calls was expressed at the species-typical pulse duration in H. versicolor but not in H. chrysoscelis. However, females of H. chrysoscelis did express a preference based on pulse shape when tested with longer-than-average pulses, suggesting a hypothesis that could account for some examples of nonparallel coevolution. Namely, preferences can be hidden or revealed depending on the direction of quantitative change in a signal property relative to the threshold for resolving differences in that property. The results of the experiments reported here also predict patterns of mate choice within and between contemporary populations. First, intraspecific mate choice in both species is expected to be strongly influenced by variation in temperature among calling males. Second, simultaneous differences in pulse rate and pulse shape are required for effective species discrimination by females of H. versicolor but not by females of H. chrysoscelis. Third, there is greater potential for sexual selection within populations and for discrimination against calls produced by males in other geographically remote populations in H. chrysoscelis than in H. versicolor.

ADVERTISEMENT-CALL PREFERENCES IN DIPLOID-TETRAPLOID TREEFROGS (HYLA CHRYSOSCELIS AND HYLA VERSICOLOR): IMPLICATIONS FOR MATE CHOICE AND THE EVOLUTION OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

Signals used for mate choice and receiver preferences are often assumed to coevolve in a lock-step fashion. However, sender-receiver coevolution can also be nonparallel: even if species differences in signals are mainly quantitative, females of some closely related species have qualitatively different preferences and underlying mechanisms. Two-alternative playback experiments using synthetic calls that differed in fine-scale temporal properties identified the receiver criteria in females of the treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis for comparison with female criteria in a cryptic tetraploid species (H. versicolor); detailed preference functions were also generated for both species based on natural patterns of variation in temporal properties. The species were similar in three respects: (1) pulses of constant frequency were as attractive as the frequency-modulated pulses typical of conspecific calls; (2) changes in preferences with temperature paralleled temperature-dependent changes in male calls; and (3) preference functions were unimodal, with weakly defined peaks estimated at values slightly higher than the estimated means in conspecific calls. There were also species differences: (1) preference function slopes were steeper in H. chrysoscelis than in H. versicolor; (2) preferences were more intensity independent in H. chrysoscelis than in H. versicolor; (3) a synergistic effect of differences in pulse rate and shape on preference strength occurred in H. versicolor but not in H. chrysoscelis; and (4) a preference for the pulse shape typical of conspecific calls was expressed at the species-typical pulse duration in H. versicolor but not in H. chrysoscelis. However, females of H. chrysoscelis did express a preference based on pulse shape when tested with longer-than-average pulses, suggesting a hypothesis that could account for some examples of nonparallel coevolution. Namely, preferences can be hidden or revealed depending on the direction of quantitative change in a signal property relative to the threshold for resolving differences in that property. The results of the experiments reported here also predict patterns of mate choice within and between contemporary populations. First, intraspecific mate choice in both species is expected to be strongly influenced by variation in temperature among calling males. Second, simultaneous differences in pulse rate and pulse shape are required for effective species discrimination by females of H. versicolor but not by females of H. chrysoscelis. Third, there is greater potential for sexual selection within populations and for discrimination against calls produced by males in other geographically remote populations in H. chrysoscelis than in H. versicolor.

Comparison of on-line partial discharge detection methods for HV cable joints

The capacitive coupler, acoustic emission (AE) sensor and radio frequency current transducer (RFCT) have been used to detect partial discharge (PD) activity within a 132 kV prefabricated cable joint containing a known defect. Although each of the three methods has been applied individually under different situations, a comprehensive investigation and comparison of these three methods has not yet been made. Results obtained were compared to measurements made using the conventional electrical detection method. The quantification of the capacitive coupler measured signal in mV with a discharge apparent quantity in pC has been investigated and an on-line quantification method proposed. The capacitive coupler has good detection sensitivity and PD location can be realised by studying the time of Right between signals from two sensors. The difference in pulse shape, spectrum and time of flight between an internal discharge and external interference has been investigated. The AE approach has the advantage of being free from electrical interference. However, investigation indicated that AE signals were significantly attenuated within the cable joint. RFCTs were used to detect the discharge current flowing through the cable sheath. Where the detection sensitivity was low, a wavelet de-noising method was applied to process the RFCT signals and proved to tie effective in increasing the measurement signal to noise ratio.

Small inorganic scintillators as neutron detectors

Small inorganic scintillators that exhibit pulse-shape differences (PSD) in response to charged particles have been investigated as possible neutron detectors in the energy range from 1 to 200 MeV. Neutrons in this energy range can induce reactions such as (n,p) and (n,alpha) in these scintillators, and the cross sections for these reactions vary with energy. Pulse-height and PSD distributions were measured as a function of neutron energy for small crystals of NaI(Tl) and CsI(Tl) at the LANSCE-WNR pulsed spallation neutron source. PSD information indicating the relative numbers of protons and alphas produced can give information about the neutron spectrum in fast-neutron radiation fields such as those encountered in space exploration.