Study on the unfolding algorithm for D-T neutron energy spectra measurement using recoil proton method

TL;DR

This paper presents an iterative unfolding algorithm for D-T neutron energy spectra measurement using recoil proton data from polyethylene films and surface barrier detectors, validated through MCNP simulations.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel iterative algorithm for unfolding recoil proton spectra into neutron spectra, validated with MCNP simulations for D-T neutron measurements.

Findings

The algorithm successfully reconstructs neutron spectra from recoil proton data.

Response matrices were generated via MCNP simulations at different angles.

The method accurately reproduces assumed neutron spectra in simulations.

Abstract

A proton recoil method for measuring D-T neutron energy spectra using polyethylene film and Si (Au) surface barrier detector was presented. An iteration algorithm for unfolding the recoil proton energy spectrum to the neutron energy spectrum was investigated. The response matrixes R of polyethylene film at 0 degree and 45 degree were obtained by simulating the recoil proton energy spectra from the mono-energetic neutron using MCNP code. Under an assumed D-T neutron spectrum, the recoil proton spectra from polyethylene film at 0 degree and 45 degree were also simulated using MCNP code. Based on the response matrixes R and the simulated recoil proton spectra at 0 degree and 45 degree, the unfolded neutron spectra were respectively obtained using the iteration algorithm, and compared with the assumed neutron spectrum. The results show that the iteration algorithm method can be applied to unfold the recoil proton energy spectrum to the neutron energy spectrum for D-T neutron energy spectra measurement using recoil proton method.