Design of compact neutron detector for tokamak

IF 1.5 3区物理与天体物理 Q3 INSTRUMENTS & INSTRUMENTATION

Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment Pub Date : 2025-03-25 DOI:10.1016/j.nima.2025.170456

Han Duan , Jie Zhang , Chaoyang Zhao , Yunsheng Zhang , Yipo Zhang , Zhonghai Wang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Most neutron spectrometers currently used in tokamak devices are based on liquid scintillators coupled with photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), which present challenges due to their large size and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference. In recent years, silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) have increasingly supplanted traditional PMTs with their advantages, including small size, high quantum efficiency, and resistance to electromagnetic interference. This study presents a novel type of neutron detector for tokamak neutron diagnostics, in which the neutron probe consists of a liquid scintillator, BC-501 A, coupled with a SiPM array. This neutron detector can be used for neutron flux monitoring and, in combination with spectral deconvolution, also for spectrum measurements. The detector was calibrated with several isotope gamma sources, and the discrimination performance was verified on an Am–Be neutron source and the HL-3 device. Results from the Am–Be neutron source experiments indicated that the n/γ figure of merit (FOM) was 1.56 within the energy range of 200–800 keVee. Similarly, on-site experiments conducted at the HL-3 device demonstrated that the FOM was 1.61 within the same discrimination energy range. Furthermore, the measured variation in neutron intensity over time aligned closely with results from multiple neutron detectors on site. This research indicates that the newly developed SiPM-based neutron detector has preliminarily demonstrated its capability to operate on tokamak devices. The next step involves calibrating neutron energy and calculating the response matrix to facilitate spectrum unfolding.

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来源期刊

Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment 物理-光谱学

CiteScore

3.20

自引率

21.40%

发文量

787

审稿时长

1 months

期刊介绍： Section A of Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research publishes papers on design, manufacturing and performance of scientific instruments with an emphasis on large scale facilities. This includes the development of particle accelerators, ion sources, beam transport systems and target arrangements as well as the use of secondary phenomena such as synchrotron radiation and free electron lasers. It also includes all types of instrumentation for the detection and spectrometry of radiations from high energy processes and nuclear decays, as well as instrumentation for experiments at nuclear reactors. Specialized electronics for nuclear and other types of spectrometry as well as computerization of measurements and control systems in this area also find their place in the A section. Theoretical as well as experimental papers are accepted.