A novel liquid-Xenon detector concept for combined fast-neutrons and gamma imaging and spectroscopy

Breskin, A.; Israelashvili, I.; Cortesi, M.; Arazi, L.; Shchemelinin, S.; Chechik, R.; Dangendorf, V.; Bromberger, B.; Vartsky, D.

doi:10.1088/1748-0221/7/06/c06008

Cited by 18 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…As a final note, GPMs are currently developed for recording primary scintillation in singlephase LXe detectors for neutron and gamma imaging [61,62]. They may also be used in conjunction with Liquid Hole-Multipliers (LHMs), developed in parallel by our group, as potential sensors for large-scale single-phase TPCs [40,63,64].…”

Section: Summary and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First results of a large-area cryogenic gaseous photomultiplier coupled to a dual-phase liquid xenon TPC

et al. 2015

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We discuss recent advances in the development of cryogenic gaseous photomultipliers (GPM), for possible use in dark matter and other rare-event searches using noble-liquid targets. We present results from a 10 cm diameter GPM coupled to a dual-phase liquid xenon (LXe) TPC, demonstrating − for the first time − the feasibility of recording both primary ("S1") and secondary ("S2") scintillation signals. The detector comprised a triple Thick Gas Electron Multiplier (THGEM) structure with cesium iodide photocathode on the first element; it was shown to operate stably at 180 K with gains above 10 5 , providing high single-photon detection efficiency even in the presence of large alpha particle-induced S2 signals comprising thousands of photoelectrons. S1 scintillation signals were recorded with a time resolution of 1.2 ns (RMS). The energy resolution (σ/E) for S2 electroluminescence of 5.5 MeV alpha particles was ~9%, which is comparable to that obtained in the XENON100 TPC with PMTs. The results are discussed within the context of potential GPM deployment in future multi-ton noble-liquid detectors.

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Section: Summary and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First results of a large-area cryogenic gaseous photomultiplier coupled to a dual-phase liquid xenon TPC

et al. 2015

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“…The simulation results for setup (b) have been published elsewhere [9]: in this work they serve as a means for comparison and for further converter optimization.…”

Section: The Simulated Detector Configurationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comprehensive simulation study of a Liquid-Xe detector for contraband detection

Israelashvili¹,

Cortesi²,

Vartsky³

et al. 2015

J. Inst.

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Recently, a new detector concept, for combined imaging and spectroscopy of fast-neutrons and gamma was presented. It encompasses a liquid-xenon (LXe) converter-scintillator coupled to a UV-sensitive gaseous Thick Gas Electron Multiplier (THGEM)-based imaging photomultiplier (GPM).In this work we present and discuss the results of a systematic computer-simulation study aiming at optimizing the type and performance of LXe converter. We have evaluated the detector spectral response, detection efficiency and spatial resolution for gamma-rays and neutrons in the energy range of 2-15 MeV for 50 mm thick converters consisting of plain LXe volume and LXe-filled capillaries, of Teflon, Polyethylene or hydrogen-containing Teflon (Tefzel). Neutron detection efficiencies for plain LXe, Teflon-capillaries and Tefzel-capillaries converters were about 20% over the entire energy range. In polyethylene capillaries converters the neutron detection efficiency was about 10% at 2 MeV and increased up to about 20% at 14 MeV. Detection efficiencies of gammas in Teflon, Tefzel and polyethylene converters were ~35%. The plain-LXe converter provided the highest gamma-ray detection efficiency, of ~40-50% for 2-15 MeV energy range. Optimization of LXe-filled Tefzel capillary dimensions resulted in spatial resolution of ~1.5mm (FWHM) for neutrons and up to 3.5 mm (FWHM) for gamma-rays.Simulations of radiographic images of various materials using two discrete energy gammarays (4.4 MeV and 15.1 MeV) and neutrons in broad energy range (2-10 MeV) were performed in order to evaluate the potential of elemental discrimination.

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“…The photo-sensor can be either a CCD camera, with limited field of view, 2 or a complicated and expensive position-sensitive gaseous photomultiplier. 6 Energy determination by time of flight (TOF) measurements 7 can be also achieved for fast neutrons by using a pulsed neutron generator: 8 however, in this approach the high cost are often prohibitive due to low turnaround in most of the industrial applications, and the available neutron flux is exceedingly reduced due to the low duty cycles of the beam.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel fast-neutron detector concept for energy-selective imaging and imaging spectroscopy

Cortesi

Dangendorf

Zboray

et al. 2014

Review of Scientific Instruments

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We present and discuss the operational principle of a new fast-neutron detector concept suitable for either energy-selective imaging or for imaging spectroscopy. The detector is comprised of a series of energy-selective stacks of converter foils immersed in a noble-gas based mixture, coupled to a position-sensitive charge readout. Each foil in the various stacks is made of two layers of different thicknesses, fastened together: a hydrogen-rich (plastic) layer for neutron-to-proton conversion, and a hydrogen-free coating to selectively stop/absorb the recoil protons below a certain energy cut-off. The neutron-induced recoil protons, that escape the converter foils, release ionization electrons in the gas gaps between consecutive foils. The electrons are then drifted towards and localized by a position-sensitive charge amplification and readout stage. Comparison of the images detected by stacks with different energy cut-offs allows energy-selective imaging. Neutron energy spectrometry is realized by analyzing the responses of a sufficient large number of stacks of different energy response and unfolding techniques. In this paper, we present the results of computer simulation studies and discuss the expected performance of the new detector concept. Potential applications in various fields are also briefly discussed, in particularly, the application of energy-selective fast-neutron imaging for nuclear safeguards application, with the aim of determining the plutonium content in Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuels.

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A novel liquid-Xenon detector concept for combined fast-neutrons and gamma imaging and spectroscopy

Cited by 18 publications

References 27 publications

First results of a large-area cryogenic gaseous photomultiplier coupled to a dual-phase liquid xenon TPC

First results of a large-area cryogenic gaseous photomultiplier coupled to a dual-phase liquid xenon TPC

A comprehensive simulation study of a Liquid-Xe detector for contraband detection

A novel fast-neutron detector concept for energy-selective imaging and imaging spectroscopy

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