Novel LaCl3(Ce)-based spectrometer for deuterium plasma neutron diagnostics

• Published in: Review of scientific instruments 2021-04, Vol.92 (4), p.043528-043528
• Main Authors: Kormilitsyn, T. M., Obudovsky, S. Yu, Rodionov, R. N., Pankratenko, A. V., Dzhurik, A. S., Kashchuk, Yu. A., Krasilnikov, A. V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cerium; Chlorine; Deuterium; Deuterium plasma; Lanthanum chlorides; Neutron irradiation; Neutrons; Parameters; Scientific apparatus & instruments; Scintillation counters
• ISSN: 0034-6748; 1089-7623
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0042394

This work studies in detail the application possibility of a chlorine-based cerium-doped scintillator crystal [LaCl3(Ce)] to the task of D–D neutron spectrometry. We conducted an experimental campaign aimed at deriving the optimal setup parameters and energy calibration using a variety of available neutrons and γ-sources. The GEANT4 code was used for modeling the detector response to γ-ray irradiation. By observing the intrinsic background α-activity of the crystal, we were able to fine-tune the pulse-shape discrimination parameters, achieving a satisfactory α/n/γ pulse selection. We also investigated the LaCl3(Ce)-based spectrometer response under D–D-neutron irradiation by means of the ING-07D neutron generator with the yield of 1 × 107 n/s. The GEANT4 simulation provided us with the comprehensive overview of detector performance. The acquired results demonstrate the possibility of using the LaCl3(Ce) scintillation spectrometer for the purposes of deuterium plasma neutron diagnostics.