Evaluation of the thermal neutron sensitivity, output linearity, and gamma-ray response of optical fiber-based neutron detectors using Li-glass scintillator

Ishikawa, Ai; Watanabe, Kenichi; Yamazaki, Atsushi; Yoshihashi, Sachiko; Imai, Shigefumi; Masuda, Akihiko; Matsumoto, Tetsuro; Tanaka, Hiroki; Sakurai, Yoshinori; Nogami, Mitsuhiro; Hitomi, Keitaro; Uritani, Akira; Harano, Hideki

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2021.166074

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…56) Various performances of this type of detector, such as the thermal neutron sensitivity, output linearity, and gamma-ray response, were experimentally confirmed. 57)…”

Section: Medical Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applications of scintillators in optical-fiber-based detectors

Watanabe

2022

Jpn. J. Appl. Phys.

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This article presents fundamentals and an overview of the optical-fiber-based scintillation detectors, which consist of a scintillator and an optical fiber light guide. This type of detector is preferentially used in special applications. In these applications, only a scintillator probe is placed in a severe environment, while a photodetector stays in a mild environment. Additionally, a detector should not disturb an irradiation field. As examples, applications in nuclear reactor physic experiments, medical uses, such as radiation therapies, and severe radiation conditions are reviewed.

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“…56) Various performances of this type of detector, such as the thermal neutron sensitivity, output linearity, and gamma-ray response, were experimentally confirmed. 57)…”

Section: Medical Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applications of scintillators in optical-fiber-based detectors

Watanabe

2022

Jpn. J. Appl. Phys.

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“…Most scintillation detectors at scattering facilities employ either cerium doped lithium glass scintillators (e.g. GS20) or ZnS:Ag/ 6 LiF, which both possess notable limitations [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanoparticle ZnS:Ag/⁶LiF—a new high count rate neutron scintillator with pulse shape discrimination

Mann,

Schooneveld,

Rhodes

et al. 2024

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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A neutron sensitive scintillator employing nanoparticles of ZnS:Ag has been developed for the first time. Pulse shape differences between neutron and gamma signals were observed in this material and neutron-gamma discrimination was applied. With initial signal processing parameters, gamma sensitivities of 8.5 × 10-6 to 60Co gammas were achieved. The average primary decay of neutron scintillation in nanoparticle ZnS:Ag/6LiF was measured to be 18ns, and afterglow was significantly suppressed in comparison to standard ZnS:Ag/6LiF scintillators that employ micron sized ZnS:Ag. Fast decay times and minimal afterglow indicate potential for use in high count rate capability applications. Prospective count rate capabilities were investigated here as proof of concept, with rates of 1.12Mcps measured for a single readout channel with less than 3.5% count loss. This is approximately 70 times greater than the count rate capability of the current standard ZnS:Ag/6LiF scintillation detectors. With improvements to signal processing and scintillator composition, nanoparticle ZnS:A/6LiF could be a promising candidate for future high rate capability neutron detectors.

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“…To overcome the problem of low sensitivity, we used a Li glass scintillator, which has a shorter decay time than a Eu:LiCaAlF 6 scintillator, in an optical-fiber-based neutron detector. (13)(14)(15)(16) By using a fast Li glass scintillator, the dynamic range of the detector counting rate was extended up to 1 Mcps. This feature allows the scintillator size or the detection sensitivity to be increased.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shape Control of Small Li Glass Composite Scintillator for Optical-fiber-based Detectors

Oshima¹,

Watanabe²,

Shiga³

et al. 2023

Sensors and Materials

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Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is one of the radiation therapies using neutrons. In BNCT, neutron monitoring is essential to ensure safety and evaluate the effect of treatments. As a neutron monitor for BNCT, we are developing an optical-fiber-based neutron detector using a small Li glass scintillator. This type of detector shows a clear neutron peak in the pulse height spectrum and has a high counting-rate capability owing to its short decay time. However, the sensitivity of the detector is uncontrollable owing to its random scintillator shape. In this study, we propose a Li glass transparent composite scintillator, in which Li glass grains and UVcurable resin are mixed, to realize a small and shape-controlled scintillator. We first fabricated the Li glass transparent composite scintillator and then experimentally confirmed that its response showed a clear neutron peak. We also fabricated an optical-fiber-based neutron detector using the Li glass transparent composite scintillator. The scintillator was formed into a hemispherical shape at the tip of an optical fiber. We confirmed the response of the optical-fiberbased detector, which showed a clear neutron peak. The experimentally evaluated sensitivity of the fabricated optical-fiber-based detector roughly agreed with the sensitivity estimated from its shape and size. Therefore, we conclude that the sensitivity of the optical-fiber-based neutron detector can be roughly controlled by using the Li glass transparent composite scintillator.

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Evaluation of the thermal neutron sensitivity, output linearity, and gamma-ray response of optical fiber-based neutron detectors using Li-glass scintillator

Cited by 11 publications

References 12 publications

Applications of scintillators in optical-fiber-based detectors

Applications of scintillators in optical-fiber-based detectors

Nanoparticle ZnS:Ag/⁶LiF—a new high count rate neutron scintillator with pulse shape discrimination

Shape Control of Small Li Glass Composite Scintillator for Optical-fiber-based Detectors

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Evaluation of the thermal neutron sensitivity, output linearity, and gamma-ray response of optical fiber-based neutron detectors using Li-glass scintillator

Cited by 11 publications

References 12 publications

Applications of scintillators in optical-fiber-based detectors

Applications of scintillators in optical-fiber-based detectors

Nanoparticle ZnS:Ag/6LiF—a new high count rate neutron scintillator with pulse shape discrimination

Shape Control of Small Li Glass Composite Scintillator for Optical-fiber-based Detectors

Contact Info

Product

Resources

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Nanoparticle ZnS:Ag/⁶LiF—a new high count rate neutron scintillator with pulse shape discrimination