Multiplicity counting using organic scintillators to distinguish neutron sources: An advanced teaching laboratory

TL;DR

This paper describes an educational laboratory setup where students use organic scintillators to perform multiplicity counting, enabling differentiation between neutron sources and enhancing understanding of nuclear detection techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a practical, hands-on experiment using organic scintillators for neutron source discrimination, combining detection, calibration, and analysis in a teaching context.

Findings

Successfully distinguished ({ extalpha},n) sources from spontaneous fission sources

Demonstrated effectiveness of multiplicity counting in source identification

Enhanced educational understanding of neutron detection techniques

Abstract

In this advanced instructional laboratory, students explore complex detection systems and nondestructive assay techniques used in the field of nuclear physics. After setting up and calibrating a neutron detection system, students carry out timing and energy deposition analyses of radiation signals. Through the timing of prompt fission neutron signals, multiplicity counting is used to carry out a special nuclear material (SNM) nondestructive assay. Our experimental setup is comprised of eight trans-stilbene organic scintillation detectors in a well-counter configuration, and measurements are taken on a spontaneous fission source as well as two ({\alpha},n) sources. By comparing each source's measured multiplicity distribution, the resulting measurements of the ({\alpha},n) sources can be distinguished from that of the spontaneous fission source. Such comparisons prevent the spoofing, i.e., intentional imitation, of a fission source by an ({\alpha},n) neutron source. This instructional laboratory is designed for nuclear engineering and physics students interested in organic scintillators, neutron sources, and nonproliferation radiation measurement techniques.