Test of fast neutron detectors for spectroscopy with (3He,n) two proton stripping reactions
Date
2012-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Nine 100x100x600 mm3 plastic scintillators, formerly built for the neutron time
of ight measurements at iThemba LABS, were refurbished. The position resolution
of these detectors was determined using muon cosmic rays and coincident
measurement techniques. Average position resolution of 4.28 cm (FWHM)
was found. In order to predict the time spectrum of the large-volume detector
Monte Carlo simulations have been performed. These simulations aimed at
anticipating the separation of statistical neutrons, prompt gamma rays and
uncorrelated gamma rays from the fast neutrons emitted in the reaction of
interest. One of the neutron detectors was tested using fast neutrons from
the 232Th( ,xn) reaction at 42 MeV. Statistical neutrons from fusion evaporation
reactions were produced in 152Sm(12C,xn) fusion evaporation reaction.
Coincidences between neutrons and gamma rays were successfully identi ed.
Prompt gamma rays and uncorrelated gamma rays were also identi ed.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nege 100x100x600 mm3 plastiese scintillators, wat aanvanklik gebou was vir neutron vlugtyds meetings by iThemba LABS, was hernu. Die posisie resolusie van die detektore was bepaal deurmiddel van muon kosmiese straling en koïnsidensie meet tegnieke. Posisie resolusie van 4.28 cm (FWHM) was verkry. Monte Carlo simulasies is gebruik om die posisie resolusie van'n groot volume detektor te voorspel. Hierdie simulasies is daarop gemik om onderskeid te maak tussen statistiese neutrone, gelyktydige gamma strale en ongekorreleerde gamma strale vanaf vinnige neutrone in die reaksie van belang uitgestraal word. Een neutron detektor was getoets deur gebruik te maak van vinnige neutrone wat uit die reaksie 232Th( ,xn) by 42 MeV ontstaan. Statistiese neutrone vanaf splitsings verdampingsreaksies, gelyktydige gamma strale en ongekorreleerde gamma strale was geidenti seer. Statistiese neutrone van samesmelting verdamping reaksies was geproduseer in die reaksie 152Sm(12C,xn). Toeval tussen neutrone en gamma strale was suksesvol geïdenti seer, gevra gamma strale en ongekorreleerd gamma strale was ook geïdenti seer.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nege 100x100x600 mm3 plastiese scintillators, wat aanvanklik gebou was vir neutron vlugtyds meetings by iThemba LABS, was hernu. Die posisie resolusie van die detektore was bepaal deurmiddel van muon kosmiese straling en koïnsidensie meet tegnieke. Posisie resolusie van 4.28 cm (FWHM) was verkry. Monte Carlo simulasies is gebruik om die posisie resolusie van'n groot volume detektor te voorspel. Hierdie simulasies is daarop gemik om onderskeid te maak tussen statistiese neutrone, gelyktydige gamma strale en ongekorreleerde gamma strale vanaf vinnige neutrone in die reaksie van belang uitgestraal word. Een neutron detektor was getoets deur gebruik te maak van vinnige neutrone wat uit die reaksie 232Th( ,xn) by 42 MeV ontstaan. Statistiese neutrone vanaf splitsings verdampingsreaksies, gelyktydige gamma strale en ongekorreleerde gamma strale was geidenti seer. Statistiese neutrone van samesmelting verdamping reaksies was geproduseer in die reaksie 152Sm(12C,xn). Toeval tussen neutrone en gamma strale was suksesvol geïdenti seer, gevra gamma strale en ongekorreleerd gamma strale was ook geïdenti seer.
Description
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
Keywords
Neutron spectroscopy, Coincidence measurements, Dissertations -- Physics, Theses -- Physics, Fast neutron detectors, Plastic scintillation detectors, Time-of-flight simulations