Optimization of detection strategies for epithermal neutron spectroscopy using photon-sensitive detectors

Ulpiani, Pierfrancesco; Romanelli, Giovanni; Onorati, Dalila; Parmentier, Alexandra; Festa, G.; Schooneveld, E.M.; Cazzaniga, Carlo; Arcidiacono, Laura; Senesi, R.

doi:10.1063/1.5091084

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…100 eV. In order to minimize the environmental backgrounds, a lower-level discrimination threshold for the photon energies was set to 600 keV [23][24][25][26][27]. The relation between incident energy and t.o.f.…”

Section: Neutron Resonance Capture Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

The neutron cross section of barite-enriched concrete for radioprotection shielding in the range 1 meV–1 keV

Martellucci¹,

Romanelli

Valeri³

et al. 2021

Eur. Phys. J. Plus

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We present a characterization of a series of barite-enriched concrete samples at the atomic scale using neutron-based techniques. In particular, neutron transmission measurements provide the macroscopic cross section (also known as neutron removal cross section) as a function of the incident neutron energy in the range 1 meV-1 keV. In this range, where fewer experimental investigations are available in the literature, the cross section is dominated by the scattering events from hydrogen, as opposed to the fast-neutron region (MeV-energy neutrons) where capture events by Ba are more important. Moreover, below 1 eV, the cross section depends on the molecular or crystal structure of the components. For each sample, the amounts of barium and hydrogen are provided by neutron resonance capture analysis and deep inelastic neutron scattering, respectively. We find that the amounts of barium and hydrogen are correlated, with a lower amount of hydrogen in the samples with more barium, likely because of the absence of some calcium-silicon-hydrate structures, whose formation is inhibited by the presence of barite. Moreover, we quantify the non-negligible contribution to the neutron macroscopic cross section arising from water molecules loosely bound in concrete. This contribution makes the shielding performance of concrete dependent upon the humidity and temperature conditions affecting the installation. Our results provide additional guidelines for radioprotection workers to determine the optimal concentration of barite in mixed gamma/neutron radiation environments.

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Section: Neutron Resonance Capture Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

The neutron cross section of barite-enriched concrete for radioprotection shielding in the range 1 meV–1 keV

Martellucci¹,

Romanelli

Valeri³

et al. 2021

Eur. Phys. J. Plus

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“…Resonances are observed by detecting the prompt-gamma radiation that is directly emitted after neutron capture as a function of the neutron energy. In recent years, attempts to measure both the neutron and gamma energies at the same time have been presented [65][66][67][68], in the so-called bi-parametric configuration, and one can foresee an ample range of applicability to Cultural-Heritage studies.…”

Section: (Nυ)-based Techniques (Radiative-capture Techniques)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Neutrons for Cultural Heritage—Techniques, Sensors, and Detection

Festa

Romanelli

Senesi

et al. 2020

Sensors

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Advances in research in Cultural Heritage see increasing application of a multidisciplinary approach and the combined use of physical and chemical characterization of artefacts that can be used to define their structure and their state of conservation, also providing valuable information in selecting the most suitable microclimatic conditions for the exhibition environment. This approach provides a platform for a synergic collaboration amongst researchers, restorers, conservators, and archaeologists. Existing state-of-the-art technologies for neutron-based methods are currently being applied to the study of objects of historical and cultural interest in several neutron-beam facilities around the world. Such techniques are non-invasive and non-destructive and are, therefore, ideal to provide structural information about artefacts, such as their composition, presence of alterations due to the environmental conditions, inclusions, structure of the bulk, manufacturing techniques, and elemental composition, which provide an overall fingerprint of the object’s characteristics, thanks to the nature of the interaction of neutrons with matter. Here, we present an overview of the main neutron methods for the characterization of materials of interest in Cultural Heritage and we provide a brief introduction to the sensors and detectors that are used in this framework. We conclude with some case studies underlining the impact of these applications in different archaeological and historical contexts.

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“…In this context, a wide experimental campaign of measurements has been started at the VESUVIO spectrometer [14][15][16] to investigate TCS of alcohols [17], organic systems [18], water [18,19] or neutron moderators [20][21][22][23]. In particular, in Ref.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The correction of Inelastic Neutron Scattering data of organic samples using the Average Functional Group Approximation

2022

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The use of the Average Functional Group Approximation for self-shielding corrections at inelastic neutron spectrometers is discussed. By taking triptindane as a case study, we use the above-mentioned approximation to simulate a synthetic dynamic structure factor as measured on an indirect-geometry spectrometer, as well as the related total scattering cross section as a function of incident neutron energy and sample temperature, and the transmission spectra depending on the sample thickness. These quantities, obtained in a consistent way from the Average Functional Group Approximation, are used to calculate the energy-dependent self-shielding correction affecting the sample under investigation. The impact on the intensities of low-energy vibrational modes is discussed, showing that at typical experimental conditions the sample-dependent attenuation factor is about 15% higher compared to the correction at higher energies.

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Optimization of detection strategies for epithermal neutron spectroscopy using photon-sensitive detectors

Cited by 10 publications

References 45 publications

The neutron cross section of barite-enriched concrete for radioprotection shielding in the range 1 meV–1 keV

The neutron cross section of barite-enriched concrete for radioprotection shielding in the range 1 meV–1 keV

Neutrons for Cultural Heritage—Techniques, Sensors, and Detection

The correction of Inelastic Neutron Scattering data of organic samples using the Average Functional Group Approximation

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