Search

In the present article we describe calibration measurements of the compact neutron spectrometer at the PTB quasi-monoenergetic neutron reference fields. The spectrometer is based on two diamond detectors enclosing a 6 Li neutron converter. The conversion occurs through the 6 Li(n,t) 4 He reaction, featuring the Q -value of 4.8 MeV. The incident neutron energy is measured through the sum of energies of the two conversion reaction products: t and α. The prototype used in this work was based on two 4 × 4 mm2 100 μ m thick single crystal CVD commercial diamond plates. The measurements were performed in the fission spectrum domain at five different neutron energies varying from 0.3 up to 2 MeV. The obtained data showed a very good neutron energy reconstruction, i.e. in agreement with its reference values within statistical uncertainties or with absolute deviations below 11 keV. The energy resolution of the spectrometer was found to be about 100 keV (RMS) with a small (about 9 keV/MeV) rising trend towards higher energies. The measured detection efficiency was found to be compatible with predictions based on analytical calculations and on Geant4 simulations within 3% statistical and 4% systematic uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper new version of the 6 Li-based neutron spectrometer for high flux environments is described. The new spectrometer was built with commercial single crystal Chemical Vapour Deposition diamonds of electronic grade. These crystals feature better charge collection as well as higher radiation hardness. New metal contacts approaching ohmic conditions were deposited on the diamonds suppressing build-up of space charge observed in the previous prototypes. New passive preamplification of the signal at detector side was implemented to improve its resolution. This preamplification is based on the RF transformer not sensitive to high neutron flux. The compact mechanical design allowed to reduce detector size to a tube of 1 cm diameter and 13 cm long. The spectrometer was tested in the thermal column of TRIGA reactor and at the DD neutron generator. The test results indicate an energy resolution of 300 keV (FWHM), reduced to 72 keV (RMS) excluding energy loss, and coincidence timing resolution of 160 ps (FWHM). The measured data are in agreement with Geant4 simulations except for larger energy loss tail presumably related to imperfections of metal contacts and glue expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proton micro-beam of the CNA accelerator in Seville has been used to test two detectors based on single crystal diamond grown by chemical vapor deposition. The first diamond has a more traditional design, with dimensions 4.5 × 4.5 × 0.5 mm 3 , and features a large contact of the same size as the crystal. The second, with dimensions 2.0 × 2.0 × 0.3 mm 3 , features a small contact of 0.5 × 0.5 mm 2 . By using the micro-beam, the map of the charge collection efficiency for both the detectors have been measured. We show that the charge collection efficiency of the diamond with large contacts is generally uniform, while the diamond with smaller contacts needs further developments in this respect. A proof of principle test with a fast electronic chain has been performed to demonstrate that spatially resolved pulse shape analysis can be performed with this system. The micro-beam allowed also studying radiation-induced permanent damage and polarization, which are two irradiation effects of importance for the development of diamonds used in spectroscopy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]