Development of neutron monitor for fusion systems

Abstract

Currently, the detection of neutrons employs sensors with a high thermal neutron response embedded in a thermalizing medium. However, this approach does not provide much information on neutron energy and, therefore, is inherently unable to identify sources commonly used in the industry. The current study proposes the use of a bi-atomic scintillator crystal, LaCl3, to detect fast neutrons above 1 MeV in general and develop a neutron monitor for (D, D) fusion reaction in particular. The approach uses the (n, p) reaction on a bi-atomic scintillator in the neutron energy range above 1 MeV. Thus, a series of Monte Carlo simulations have been performed using MCNP/X along with a series of experiments carried out using a neutron generator based on the (D, D) reaction at 106 n/s. Both sets of data were compared in term of the pulse height spectra. The analysis of the data suggests that a prominent peak from the emitted protons can serve to monitor the neutron emission from the generator.