Predicted performance of neutron spectrometers using scintillating fibers

Abstract

A variety of needs exists for knowing the energy spectral content of a neutron flux. Among these needs are arms-control and national-security applications, which arise because different neutron sources produce different neutron energy spectra. This work is primarily directed at these applications. The concept described herein is a spectrometer in the same sense as a Bonner sphere. The instrument response reflects a statistical average of the energy spectrum. The Bonner sphere is an early rendition of this class. In this, a neutron detector is placed at the center of a moderating (and absorbing) sphere (of varying thickness and composition). Spectral unfolding is required, and the resolution and efficiency are, typically, poor, although the potential bandwidth is very large. A recent variation on the Bonner-sphere approach uses {sup 3}He gas proportional counters with resistive wires to locate the position of the event (Toyokawa et al 1996). The spectrometer concept investigated here has the potential for better resolution and much improved neutron efficiency compared to Bonner spheres and similar devices. These improvements are possible because of the development of neutron-sensitive, scintillating-glass fibers. These fibers can be precisely located in space, which allows a corresponding precision in energy resolution. Also, they can be fabricated into arrays that intercept a large fraction of incident thermal neutrons, providing the improvement in neutron economy