Performance study of a directional fast neutron detection system based on TPC and plastic scintillation detectors

TL;DR

This paper evaluates a neutron detection system combining a TPC and plastic scintillators, demonstrating high angular resolution through coincidence imaging, with potential for further optimization.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical and experimental analysis of a coincidence imaging system that enhances neutron source localization accuracy.

Findings

Angular resolution of ~2° achieved

Experimental results align with theoretical calculations

System can be optimized for future applications

Abstract

A neutron time projection chamber can locate the approximate direction of a neutron hot spot with high efficiency and a 4{\pi} field of view. The angular resolution can be significantly improved by adding several plastic scintillation detectors and using coincidence events. The specific performances of such a coincidence imaging system are studied based on theoretical calculations and experimental results. The calculated value of the angular resolution is approximately 2{\deg} for the current system, which agrees well with the experimental results and sets an upper limit for the angular resolution of traditional back projection based online reconstruction methods. Although the statistical iterative method can breakthrough this limit and further improve the angular resolution, the time consumption is usually a problem. The coincidence imaging system can be further optimized for future applications based on the theoretical model.