A SiPM-based ZnS:(LiF)-Li-6 scintillation neutron detector

作者：Stoykov A^*; Mosset J B; Greuter U; Hildebrandt M; Schlumpf N

来源：Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment , 2015, 787: 361-366.

DOI：10.1016/j.nima.2015.01.076

• Silicon photomultiplier (SiPM)
• Multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC)
• Thermal neutron detector
• ZnS:(LiF)-Li-6 scintillator
• WLS fiber

In the work presented here we built and evaluated a single-channel neutron detection unit consisting of a ZnS:(LiF)-Li-6 scintillator with embedded WLS fibers readout by a SiPM. The unit has a sensitive volume of 2.4 x 2.8 x 50 mm(3); 12 WLS fibers of diameter 0.25 mm are uniformly distributed over this volume and are coupled to a 1 x 1 mm(2) active area SiPM. We report the following performance parameters: neutron detection efficiency similar to 65% at 1.2 angstrom, background count rate < 10 (3) Hz, gamma-sensitivity with Co-60 source < 10(-6), dead time similar to 20 mu s, multi-count ratio < 1%. All these parameters were achieved up to the SiPM dark count rate of similar to 2 MHz.
We consider such detection unit as an elementary building block for realization of one-dimensional multichannel detectors for applications in the neutron scattering experimental technique. The dimensions of the unit and the number of embedded fibers can be varied to meet the specific application requirements. The upper limit of similar to 2 MHz on the SiPM dark count rate allows to use SiPMs with larger active areas if required.

• 出版日期2015-7-1