Response functions of Phoswich-type neutron detector for high-energy cosmic ray neutron measurement

Takada, Masashi*; Yajima, Kazuaki*; Yasuda, Hiroshi*; Nakamura, Takashi*; Baba, Mamoru*; Homma, Toshihiro*; Endo, Akira; Tanimura, Yoshihiko

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 47(10), p.917 - 931, 2010/10

https://doi.org/10.3327/jnst.47.917

A phoswich-type neutron detector was developed in order to measure high-energy cosmic-ray neutron spectrum in aircrafts. The neutron detector consists of a 121.7 mm diameter and a 121.7 mm long EJ309 organic liquid scintillator covered with a 15 mm thick EJ299-13 outer plastic scintillator. Neutron response functions of the detector are required for an unfolding method to get the energy spectrum. The neutron response functions were evaluated from measurements using quasi-monoenergetic neutron sources of various peak energies from 35 to 78 MeV and from the MCNPX simulation. Light output and scintillation attenuation in the scintillator were measured for proton, deuteron and helium-ion beams. The measured neutron response functions well agreed with the MCNPX simulation. Neutron response matrix was created up to 300 MeV neutron energy based on the MCNPX simulation in order to cover the wide neutron energy range in the fight experiment. Photon response matrix also was created up to 50 MeV.