Liquid scintillators neutron response function: a tutorial

TL;DR

This tutorial explains the components and mechanisms influencing the neutron response function of liquid scintillators, combining analytical and Monte Carlo methods to aid interpretation in fusion plasma diagnostics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analytical approach to understanding liquid scintillator neutron response functions, enhancing interpretation of experimental data in fusion research.

Findings

Analytical model qualitatively matches Monte Carlo simulations.

Edge effects and energy resolution significantly impact response functions.

Method aids interpretation of broad neutron spectra in fusion plasmas.

Abstract

This tutorial is devoted to the understanding of the different components that are present in the neutron light output pulse height distribution of liquid scintillators in fusion relevant energy ranges. The basic mechanisms for the generation of the scintillation light are briefly discussed. The different elastic collision processed between the incident neutrons and the hydrogen and carbon atoms are described in terms of probability density functions and the overall response function as their convolution. The results from this analytical approach is then compared with those obtained from simplified and full Monte Carlo simulations. Edge effect, finite energy resolution, light output and transport and competing physical processes between neutron and carbon and hydrogen atoms and their impact on the response functions are discussed. Although the analytical treatment here presented allows only for a qualitative comparison with full Monte Carlo simulations it enables an understanding of the main features present in the response function and therefore provides the ground for the interpretation of more complex response functions such those measured in fusion plasmas. Although the main part of this tutorial is focussed on the response function to mono-energetic 2.45 MeV neutrons a brief discussion is presented in case of broad neutron energy spectra and how these can be used to infer the underlying properties of fusion plasmas via the application of a forward modelling method.