Neutron and $\boldsymbol{\gamma}$-ray Discrimination by a Pressurized Helium-4 Based Scintillation Detector

TL;DR

This study evaluates a pressurized Helium-4 scintillation detector's ability to distinguish fast neutrons from gamma rays in mixed radiation fields, using charge integration and simulations to analyze its performance.

Contribution

The paper demonstrates the effectiveness of a pressurized Helium-4 detector for neutron-gamma discrimination and provides systematic experimental and simulation analyses of radiation interactions.

Findings

Effective neutron-gamma discrimination achieved

Systematic attenuation data for neutrons and gamma rays

Simulation insights into radiation interactions with the detector

Abstract

Pressurized Helium-4 (PHe) based fast neutron scintillation detector offers an useful alternative to organic liquid-based scintillator due to its relatively low response to the $\gamma$-rays compared to the latter type of scintillator. In the present work, we have investigated the capabilities of a PHe detector for the detection of fast neutrons in a mixed radiation field where both the neutrons and the $\gamma$-rays are present. Discrimination between neutrons and $\gamma$-rays is achieved by using fast-slow charge integration method. We have also conducted systematic studies of the attenuation of fast neutrons and $\gamma$-rays by high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Additionally, the simulation analyses, conducted using GEANT4, provide detailed insights into the interactions of the radiation quanta with the PHe detector.