A Segmented Total Energy Detector (sTED) optimized for (n, γ) cross-section measurements at n_TOF EAR2

n-TOF Collaboration

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The neutron time-of-flight facility n_TOF at CERN is a spallation source dedicated to measurements of neutron-induced reaction cross-sections of interest in nuclear technologies, astrophysics, and other applications. Since 2014, Experimental ARea 2 (EAR2) is operational and delivers a neutron fluence of ∼4⋅107 neutrons per nominal proton pulse, which is ∼50 times higher than the one of Experimental ARea 1 (EAR1) of ∼8⋅105 neutrons per pulse. The high neutron flux at EAR2 results in high counting rates in the detectors that challenged the previously existing capture detection systems. For this reason, a Segmented Total Energy Detector (sTED) has been developed to overcome the limitations in the detector's response, by reducing the active volume per module and by using a photo-multiplier (PMT) optimized for high counting rates. This paper presents the main characteristics of the sTED, including energy and time resolution, response to γ-rays, and provides as well details of the use of the Pulse Height Weighting Technique (PHWT) with this detector. The sTED has been validated to perform neutron-capture cross-section measurements in EAR2 in the neutron energy range from thermal up to at least 400 keV. The detector has already been successfully used in several measurements at n_TOF EAR2.

Original languageEnglish
Article number111525
Number of pages11
JournalRadiation Physics and Chemistry
Volume217
Early online date17 Jan 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2024

Bibliographical note

© 2024 The Author(s)

Keywords

  • Monte Carlo simulation
  • Neutron capture
  • PHWT
  • Scintillation detectors

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