Measurement of the neutron spectrum of a Pu-C source with a liquid scintillator

The neutron response function for a BC501A liquid scintillator （LS） has been measured using a series of monoenergetic neutrons produced by the p-T reaction. The proton energies were chosen such as to produce neutrons in the energy range of 1 to 20 MeV. The principles of the technique of unfolding a neutron energy spectrum by using the measured neutron response function and the measured Pulse Height （PH） spectrum is briefly described. The PH spectrum of neutrons from the Pu-C source, which will be used for the calibration of the reactor antineutrino detectors for the Daya Bay neutrino experiment, was measured and analyzed to get the neutron energy spectrum. Simultaneously the neutron energy spectrum of an Am-Be source was measured and compared with other measurements as a check of the result for the Pu-C source. Finally, an error analysis and a discussion of the results are given.     

Monte Carlo simulation of prompt γ-ray spectra from depleted uranium under D-T neutron irradiation and electron recoil spectra in a liquid scintillator detector

To overcome the problem of inefficient computing time and unreliable results in MCNP5 calculation, a two-step method is adopted to calculate the energy deposition of prompt γ-rays in detectors for depleted uranium spherical shells under D-T neutron irradiation. In the first step, the γ-ray spectrum for energy below 7 MeV is calculated by MCNP5 code; secondly, the electron recoil spectrum in a BC501 A liquid scintillator detector is simulated based on EGSnrc Monte Carlo Code with the γ-ray spectrum from the first step as input. The comparison of calculated results with experimental ones shows that the simulations agree well with experiment in the energy region 0.4–3 MeV for the prompt γ-ray spectrum and below 4 MeVee for the electron recoil spectrum. The reliability of the two-step method in this work is validated.     

Measurement of the response function and the detection effciency of an organic liquid scintillator for neutrons between 1 and 30 MeV

The light output function of a φ50.8 mm×50.8 mm BC501A scintillation detector was measured in the neutron energy region of 1 to 30 MeV by fitting the pulse height （PH） spectra for neutrons with the simulations from the NRESP code at the edge range. Using the new light output function, the neutron detection effciency was determined with two Monte-Carlo codes, NEFF and SCINFUL. The calculated effciency was corrected by comparing the simulated PH spectra with the measured ones. The determined effciency was verified at the near threshold region and normalized with a Proton-Recoil-Telescope （PRT） at the 8-14 MeV energy region.     

A comparison of n-γ discrimination by the rise-time and zero-crossing methods

The n-γ discrimination performance of two experimental arrangements based on the rise-time method and the zero-crossing method was compared for a 50.8 mm-diametered and 50.8 mm-high BC501A liquid scintillator coupled to a 50.8 mm-diametered 9807B photomultiplier in this work. The low energy limitation of the detected neutron with different detector high voltages and the figure of merit of the n-γ discrimination in four neutron energy regions (1–2 MeV, 0.75–1 MeV, 0.5–0.75 MeV and below 0.5 MeV) were studied by using the Am-Be neutron source. Under a time statistical model of the photoelectron emission process in scintillation counters, the intrinsic capability of the n-γ discrimination performance under the optimal condition was evaluated. The experimental results of the zero-crossing method demonstrate a better n-γ. discrimination performance than those of the rise-time method, which is consistent with the calculated results.     

Energy calibration of a BC501A liquid scintillator using a γ-γ coincidence technique

An accurate energy calibration of a BC501A liquid scintillator by means of Compton scattering of γ-rays is described.The energy resolution and the position of the Compton edge have been precisely determined using a γ-γ coincidence technique and fitting the coincidence spectrum with a Gaussian function superimposed on a quadratic polynomial for the background.The position of the Compton edge relative to the position of the maximum and the half height of the distribution in dependence on the relevant energy resolution is discussed in detail.The results indicate that the maximum energy of the recoil Compton electron does not occur at the half height distribution but at 0.90±0.05 of the maximum height in the energy range considered.The energy resolution varies from 15.6% to 8.02% for electrons in the energy region from 0.5 MeV to 3 MeV.     

NaI探测器对23.8 MeVγ射线的效率刻度方法

低能D(d,γ)4He辐射俘获反应截面的研究在聚变领域和天体物理等领域中起到非常重要的作用。由于受到标准γ源能量的制约,在研究D(d,γ)4He反应高能γ射线产额实验过程中不能用标准源进行效率刻度。采用实验测量与计算相结合的方法实现NaI探测器对23.8 MeV γ射线的效率刻度,先对6.13MeVγ射线效率进行实验刻度,然后用蒙卡程序MCNP－4C模拟计算出NaI探测器的效率曲线,再用实验数据与模拟结果进行对比校正,计算出NaI探测器在23.8MeV能量点对γ射线的探测效率。该方法对高能γ射线效率刻度给出了一种参考依据。In the study of D(d,γ)4He radiative capture reactions research, which is very important for fusion and astrophysics, the efficiency calibration of the detector is necessary. Due to the restriction on energy of the standard gamma source, the efficiency calibration of high-energy gamma-rays can not be calibrated by a standard source. In this paper, the method combining the experimental measurements and calculations for the efficiency calibrations of high energy gamma rays is given in the experiment of 6.13MeV gamma rays efficiency calibration using NaI detector, the efficiency curve of which is calculated by MCNP-4C and corrected experimentally. In this case, the detection efficiency of 23.8MeV gamma ray is known. The method provides a reference to high energy gamma ray efficiency calibration.     

锂玻璃探测器中子探测效率的刻度

为了精确测量keV能区的中子俘获截面,中国原子能科学研究院正在建造一台4π 全吸收型γ 探测装置---GTAF,锂玻璃探测器将会作为中子束流监视器测量中子能谱。利用5SDH-2 加速器刻度了锂玻璃探测器在两个入射中子单能点(250 和565 keV) 的探测效率,并使用EANT4 和MCNP 程序模拟计算了锂玻璃探测器的相对探测效率。通过归一化实验数据和模拟结果,得到了锂玻璃探测器在10keV~1 MeV 能区的中子探测效率曲线。对于把锂玻璃探测器测量得到的飞行时间谱转化为中子束流能谱,是一项非常重要的工作,同时为探测器效率刻度提供了新方法。In order to accurately measure the neutron capture cross section in the energy range of keVMeV, 4 πgamma-ray total absorption facility (GTAF) is being constructed at China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE). The lithium glass detector will be used as a neutron beam monitor for GTAF. The detection efficiency of the lithium glass detector at two incident neutron energy points (250, 565 keV) was calibrated in 5SDH-2 accelerator, and the relative detection efficiency was simulated by GEANT4 and MCNP code. By the normalization of the experimental data and simulation result, the neutron detection efficiency curve of the lithium glass detector between 10 keV and 1 MeV was obtained. This work will be important to convert the Time-of-flight spectrum that be measured by Li-glass detector to the energy spectrum of neutron beam, and provide the new method for calibration of detection efficiency.     

液体闪烁体探测器γ射线测量研究

利用几种单能γ源对BC501A型液体闪烁体探测器进行能量刻度, 以得到探测器对电子的光输出响应函数。 介绍了用蒙特卡罗模拟法确定康普顿边缘所对应的电子能量的方法, 得到的结果与用半高点确定康普顿边缘方法所得的结果做了比较。 利用德国PTB开发的PHRESP蒙特卡罗程序计算出液体闪烁体探测器对各种单能γ射线的光响应矩阵, 阐述了利用γ射线响应函数矩阵和γ射线的反冲电子谱求解待测γ能谱的原理, 对解谱的误差来源也进行了简要的分析。 The light output of the BC501A liquid scintillation detector for γ rays was calibrated by serial monoenergetic γ ray sources. The Monte Carlo simulation method to confirm Compton edge was described briefly. The result was compared with that obtained by the semi height method. The γ ray response matrix of BC501A liquid scintillation detector was calculated by the Monte Carlo code PHRESP from PTB. The method of using response function matrix and recoil electron spectrum to unfold γ ray energy spectrum was introduced and the error of unfolding spectrum was also briefly discussed.     

（n,xnγ）反应截面测量的实验本底改进研究

瞬发γ射线法测量（n,xnγ）反应截面实验中,在线的实验本底对测量结果影响显著,是影响测量结果的关键因素。为了达到降低在线实验本底一个量级的目标,通过蒙特卡罗模拟程序给出了屏蔽体和准直器的改进方案,最终选取的屏蔽方案:在原有屏蔽体上加厚30 cm（C₂H₄）n+9 cmPb,原屏蔽墙加厚54 cm重混凝土,再在屏蔽体和屏蔽墙上共同加厚2 cm厚的铅（Pb）;准直孔开孔形状在圆柱形、圆锥形和对称双锥形这三种方案中准直效果和能量单一性方面对称双锥形准直孔最好。在屏蔽体改造完成后,利用尺寸为φ5.08cm×5.08 cm型液体闪烁体探测器（BC501）测量了改造后距准直孔右方径向距离70 cm处透射出来的中子和γ射线的相对强度,在扣除无束流天然本底后,有束流的中子本底降低了7.75倍,γ本底降低了38.5倍,改造效果达到了测量要求。In the experiment of measuring (n,xnγ) reaction cross section with prompt γ ray method, the experiment background has a significant influence on the result and is the key factor. In order to achieve the goal of reducing a certain amount of the experiment background, the improvement scheme of shield and collimator was given through Monte Carlo method and the shielding scheme was finally selected: add 30 cm(C₂H₄)n+9 cm Pb on the original shield, 54 cm heavy concrete on the original shield wall and then 2 cm thick lead(Pb) on the shield and shield wall. The collimation effect and energy uniformity of symmetrical double cone collimation hole are the best among cylindrical, conical, and symmetrical double cone. After the completion of the transformation of shield, the relative intensities of the transmitted neutron and γ rays from the 70 cm in right radial of the transformed collimation hole were measured with ?5.08 cm×5.08 cm type liquid scintillator detector(BC501). After deducting the natural background of no beam current, the neutron background of the beam current is reduced by 7.75 times and the γ background is reduced by 38.5 times, which meets the requirement.     

Study on gamma response function of E J301 organic liquid scintillator with GEANT4 and FLUKA

The gamma response function is required for energy calibration of EJ301 （5 cm in diameter and 20 cm in height） organic liquid scintillator detector by means of gamma sources. The GEANT4 and FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation packages were used to simulate the response function of the detector for standard 22Na, 60Co, 137Cs gamma sources. The simulated results showed a good agreement with experimental data by incorporating the energy resolution function to simulation codes. The energy resolution and the position of the maximum Compton electron energy were obtained by comparing measured light output distribution with simulated one. The energy resolution of the detector varied from 21.2% to 12.4% for electrons in the energy region from 0.341 MeV to 1.12 MeV. The accurate position of the maximum Compton electron energy was determined at the position 81% of maximum height of Compton edges distribution. In addition, the relation of the electron energy calibration and the effective neutron detection thresholds were described in detail. The present results indicated that both packages were suited for studying the gamma response function of EJ301 detector.     

BC501A液体闪烁体对γ射线的光输出响应

研究了对BC501A液体闪烁体对γ射线的光输出响应特性。实验上利用γ放射源(60Co,137Cs)测量了不同光电倍增管高压下,尺寸为Φ5.08 cm×5.08 cm的BC501A液体闪烁体探测器的脉冲幅度谱。利用Geant4软件进行模拟,计算结果与实验数据很好地符合,得到了能量分辨函数及能量刻度曲线。利用Geant4研究了BC501A的脉冲幅度谱的康普顿边缘Ec、康普顿峰Emax及康普顿半高点E1/2与能量分辨率的关系。同时模拟结果显示,随γ射线能量(0.2～3 Me V)的增加,康普顿边缘位置Nc/Nmax从0.8至0.7线性减少。     

Measurement of the neutron spectrum of a Pu-C source with a liquid scintillator

The neutron response function for a BC501A liquid scintillator (LS) has been measured using a series of monoenergetic neutrons produced by the p-T reaction. The proton energies were chosen such as to produce neutrons in the energy range of 1 to 20 MeV. The principles of the technique of unfolding a neutron energy spectrum by using the measured neutron response function and the measured Pulse Height (PH) spectrum is briefly described. The PH spectrum of neutrons from the Pu-C source, which will be used for the calibration of the reactor antineutrino detectors for the Daya Bay neutrino experiment, was measured and analyzed to get the neutron energy spectrum. Simultaneously the neutron energy spectrum of an Am-Be source was measured and compared with other measurements as a check of the result for the Pu-C source. Finally, an error analysis and a discussion of the results are given.     

Be(d,n)反应中子源能谱测量及应用

 利用中子飞行时间技术和BC501A液体闪烁探测器的粒子分辨特性,测量了0°方向、20 MeV氘束轰击厚金属铍靶反应产生的中子源能谱,测量的中子能谱范围为0.7～25.0 MeV。在60°方向放置芪晶体闪烁探测器,由刻度好的BC501A液体闪烁探测器归一校正后,用于中子源强度监测。利用Be(d, n) 反应中子源,采用单粒子灵敏度标定方法,实验标定了0.75~15.75 MeV能量范围内的薄膜闪烁探测器中子能量响应曲线,实验结果与蒙特卡罗模拟计算结果在8%的不确定度范围内一致。     

液体闪烁体探测器测量皮秒激光脉冲中子源能谱

在星光Ⅲ实验装置上开展皮秒激光脉冲中子源实验,使用液体闪烁体探测器测得较好的中子信号,利用飞行时间法获得中子的能量/时间分布,通过示波器电压时间积分与阻抗之比得到不同能量段的电荷值。建立液体闪烁体探测器Geant4计算模型,通过实际打靶情况与标定情况下液体闪烁体探测器出光口收集到的可见光光子数之比,结合标定的灵敏度数据,获得液体闪烁体探测器对不同能量中子的灵敏度。计算得到源发射的中子能谱,能量在1 MeV以上的液体闪烁体探测器方向测得的中子产额为1.04108 sr-1。     

Study of light collection as a function of scintillator surface roughness

The variation of pulse-height spectra was observed under the consecutive treatment of CsI:Tl plane scintillators by different abrasives – with increase of the abrasive grain size the double peaks of the total absorption transferred into the single peaks with acceptable resolution. The light collection simulation of the differently treated surfaces was performed to interpret the experimental results. In simulation the surface relief was represented as a set of micro-facets with slope distribution functions extracted from the experimentally measured reflectance distribution functions. The behavior of the simulated pulse-height spectra in the vicinity of the total absorption peak under the assumption of uniform scintillation distribution in the scintillator volume was in a good agreement with experimental results for different surface treatment conditions. From pulse-height spectrum simulations for different positions of the point light source it was determined that the double peaks in experimental and simulated spectra had been caused by the scintillations in different scintillator areas. The decrease of the light output and the resolution improvement occurred under the input surface treatment of the plane scintillator by the larger abrasive was caused by the increase of the average pass length of light to the output detector window and by the decrease of the difference of this value for the various scintillator areas, respectively.     

利用252 Cf快裂变室测量BC501A液闪探测器的相对探测效率和响应函数

本文利用²⁵²Cf快裂变室和多参数数据采集系统,逐事例的同时记录了自发裂变中子和瞬发伽马的飞行时间(TOF),脉冲形状甄别(PSD)和反冲能量(RE,裂变中子是通过测量反冲质子;瞬发伽马是通过测量康普顿反冲电子)三维信息.详细介绍了通过离线数据分析完全扣除三维信息中的伽马事例贡献,以获得Φ50.8 mm×50.8 mm的BC501A液闪探测器的相对探测效率和响应函数的方法.在不通过探测器响应函数进行数据转换的条件下,利用中子的能量直接确定了中子的有效测量阈值.得到的中子 关键词： 252Cf快裂变室')" href="#">²⁵²Cf快裂变室 BC501A液闪探测器 相对探测效率 响应函数     

Method for measuring prompt γ-rays generated by D-T neutrons bombarding a depleted uranium spherical shell

The prompt γ-ray spectrum from depleted uranium(DU) spherical shells induced by 14 Me V D-T neutrons is measured. Monte Carlo(MC) simulation gives the largest prompt γ flux with the optimal thickness of the DU spherical shells 3–5 cm and the optimal frequency of neutron pulse 1 MHz. The method of time of flight and pulse shape coincidence with energy(DC-TOF) is proposed, and the subtraction of the background γ-rays discussed in detail. The electron recoil spectrum and time spectrum of the prompt γ-rays are obtained based on a 2 ×2 BC501 A liquid scintillator detector. The energy spectrum and time spectrum of prompt γ-rays are obtained based on an iterative unfolding method that can remove the influence of γ-rays response matrix and pulsed neutron shape.The measured time spectrum and the calculated results are roughly consistent with each other. Experimental promptγ-ray spectrum in the 0.4–3 Me V energy region agrees well with MC simulation based on the ENDF/BVI.5 library,and the discrepancies for the integral quantities of γ-rays of energy 0.4–1 Me V and 1–3 Me V are 9.2% and 1.1%,respectively.     

Lu2O3：Tb纳米粉末的光致发光特性

用燃烧合成法制备了Lu₂O₃:Tb³⁺纳米粉末。产物为立方相结构,粒径在3~40nm之间可控。对不同颗粒度的样品的激发光谱、发射光谱和荧光衰减特性进行了研究。在紫外光激发下,样品显示出较强的发光(来自于Tb³⁺的⁵D_3,4→⁷F_J跃迁)。同时,样品的光致发光性质在很大程度上受到样品颗粒度的影响,对此现象给出了合理的解释。