Real-time capabilities of a digital analyzer for mixed-field assay using scintillation detectors

Aspinall, Michael and Joyce, Malcolm John and Lavietes, Anthony and Plenteda, Romano and Cave, Francis Dominic and Parker, Helen Maria and Jones, Ashley Richard and Astromskas, Vytautas (2017) Real-time capabilities of a digital analyzer for mixed-field assay using scintillation detectors. IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, 64 (3). pp. 945-950. ISSN 0018-9499

[thumbnail of Capabilities_of_a_digital_analyzer_for_mixed_field_assay_using_scintillation_detectors]
Preview
PDF (Capabilities_of_a_digital_analyzer_for_mixed_field_assay_using_scintillation_detectors)
Capabilities_of_a_digital_analyzer_for_mixed_field_assay_using_scintillation_detectors.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (697kB)

Abstract

Scintillation detectors offer a single-step detection method for fast neutrons and necessitate real-time acquisition, whereas this is redundant in two-stage thermal detection systems using helium-3 and lithium-6, where the fast neutrons need to be thermalized prior to detection. The relative affordability of scintillation detectors and the associated fast digital acquisition systems have enabled entirely new measurement setups that can consist of sizeable detector arrays. These detectors in most cases rely on photo-multiplier tubes which have significant tolerances and result in variations in detector response functions. The detector tolerances and other environmental instabilities must be accounted for in measurements that depend on matched detector performance. This paper presents recent advances made to a high-speed FPGA-based digitizer. The technology described offers a complete solution for fast-neutron scintillation detectors by integrating multichannel high-speed data acquisition technology with dedicated detector high-voltage supplies. This configuration has significant advantages for large detector arrays that require uniform detector responses. We report on bespoke control software and firmware techniques that exploit realtime functionality to reduce setup and acquisition time, increase repeatability and reduce statistical uncertainties.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science
Additional Information:
© 2017 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2100/2104
Subjects:
?? nuclear energy and engineeringelectrical and electronic engineeringnuclear and high energy physics ??
ID Code:
84829
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
21 Jun 2017 10:26
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
13 Dec 2023 01:25