Speaker
Description
Neutron time of flight spectroscopy is a valuable tool for a wide range of nuclear physics experiments. These include direct measurements of astrophysical ($\alpha$,n) or (p,n) reactions; nuclear spectroscopy through transfer reactions such as (d,n); and decay spectroscopy of neutron-unbound states. Such experiments require fast neutron detectors with high detection efficiency, sub-ns timing resolution, and position sensitivity on the order of a few centimetres. In many cases, neutron/$\gamma$-ray discrimination capabilities are also required to eliminate prompt and random $\gamma$-ray backgrounds.
Recently, a new scintillaor material, composed of an organic glass (organic glass scintillator, OGS) has been exploited for neutron detection. This material has good efficiency for detecting ${\gtrsim} 1$ MeV neutrons, fast timing capabilities, and excellent $n/\gamma$ pulse shape discrimination properties. As a glass, the material can be cast in a mold, allowing a wide range of detector geometries. This talk reports our recent efforts to characterize extended $1^{\prime\prime} \times 1^{\prime\prime} \times 5^{\prime\prime}$ bars of OGS, read out by a photo-multiplier tube on either end. The talk focuses on bench-top measurements with $\gamma$-ray and neutron sources characterizing the detector's energy resolution, position sensitivity, timing resolution, and $n/\gamma$ separation capabilities. Possible applications of these bars to future nuclear physics measurements will also be discussed.
| Keyword-1 | neutron spectroscopy |
|---|---|
| Keyword-2 | nuclear instrumentation |
