Neutron Spectroscopy Using Rubberized Eu:LiCAF Wafers
Abstract
With the increasing cost and decreasing availability of 3He, there have been many efforts to find alternative neutron detection materials. Lithium calcium aluminum fluoride (LiCAF) enriched to 95 6Li doped with europium was evaluated here as a replacement material for 3He, based on the absorption of thermalized neutrons by the 6Li and subsequent energy release of the 6Li(n,t)4He reaction. Wafers 0.5 cm thick, consisting of LiCAF crystals in a rubberized matrix, were embedded with wavelength shifting fibers (WSF) and mated to silicon photo-multipliers (SiPMs) to measure the photon response in a flux of neutrons from a DD neutron generator. Excellent discrimination was realized between neutrons and gammas, and both pulse-height discrimination and pulse-shape analysis were explored. A portable ten-layer neutron spectrometer was fabricated from the rubberized wafers and demonstrated that Eu:LiCAF is a promising potential replacement for 3He and shows excellent promise for neutron spectroscopy applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1063458
Entities
People
- Michael A. Ford
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology