Characteristics of a thermal neutrons scintillation detector with the [ZnS(Ag)+$^6$LiF] at different conditions of measurements

TL;DR

This paper describes the development and testing of a thermal neutron scintillation detector using a ZnS(Ag)+$^6$LiF scintillator, analyzing its pulse characteristics, background, efficiency, and flux measurements in various conditions.

Contribution

It introduces a new construction of a thermal neutron detector with detailed analysis of pulse origins and performance in different environments.

Findings

Pulse features vary between ground and underground conditions.

The detector's efficiency and background levels were quantified.

Results are comparable to those obtained with $^3$He counters.

Abstract

A construction of a thermal neutron testing detector with a thin [ZnS(Ag)+$^6$LiF] scintillator is described. Results of an investigation of sources of the detector pulse origin and the pulse features in a ground and underground conditions are presented. Measurements of the scintillator own background, registration efficiency and a neutron flux at different objects of the BNO INR RAS were performed. The results are compared with the ones measured by the $^3$He proportional counter.