Development of single-exposure, multidetector neutron spectrometers: the NESCOFI@BTF project

Abstract

NESCOFI@BTF is a 3-y project (2011-13) supported by the Scientific Commission 5 of INFN (Italy). The target is the development of neutron spectrometers similar to the Bonner spheres, in terms of response energy interval and accuracy, but able to determine the neutron spectrum in only one exposure. These devices embed multiple (10 to 30) thermal neutron detectors (TNDs) within a single moderator. Two prototypes, called SPherical SPectrometer (SP(2)) and cylindrical spectrometer (CYSP), have been set up. Whilst SP(2) has spherical geometry and nearly isotropic response, the CYSP has cylindrical geometry and is intended to be used as a directional spectrometer. Suitable active TNDs will be embedded in the final version of the devices. The resulting instruments could be used as real-time neutron spectrometers in neutron-producing facilities. This communication describes the design criteria, numerical analysis, experimental issues, state-of-the-art and future developments connected with the development of these instruments.

Experimental characterization of semiconductor-based thermal neutron detectors

“…The projects NESCOFI@BTF (2011-2013) and NEURAPID (2014-2016, https://sites.google.com/site/csn5neurapid) [1,2], supported by the Scientific Commission 5 of INFN (Italy), extensively investigated the possibility of developing real-time neutron spectrometers able to simultaneously cover all energy components of neutron fields, from thermal up to GeV. The final users of these instruments will be neutronproducing facilities, ranging from medical to industrial and research fields.…”

Experimental test of a newly developed single-moderator, multi-detector, directional neutron spectrometer in reference monochromatic fields from 144keV to 16.5MeV

“…New instruments for real-time spectrometric monitoring of neutron fields are becoming available to the scientific community, as those arising from the research of the NESCOFI@BTF and NEURAPID international collaborations [1]. Two devices were studied and developed, both based on array of active thermal neutron detectors embedded in a single moderator: SP 2 and CYSP.…”

IRIDE: Interdisciplinary research infrastructure based on dual electron linacs and lasers

“…-CYSP spectrometer [Bedogni1] has cylindrical geometry and shows a sharply directional response, thus allowing very accurate directional spectrometry. It includes seven active thermal neutron detectors (TND) working in parallel at different depths in a polyethylene cylindrical moderator.…”