YSO implantation detector for beta-delayed neutron spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel segmented scintillator detector designed for beta-delayed neutron spectroscopy, enabling precise energy and timing measurements of neutrons emitted from exotic isotopes, specifically around the $^{78}$Ni region.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new YSO-based segmented detector with high efficiency and sub-nanosecond timing resolution for neutron spectroscopy of neutron-rich nuclei.

Findings

Achieved ~80% beta-detection efficiency.

Demonstrated sub-nanosecond timing resolution.

Successfully measured neutron time-of-flight spectra.

Abstract

A segmented-scintillator-based implantation detector was developed to study the energy distribution of beta-delayed neutrons emitted from exotic isotopes. The detector comprises a 34 $\times$ 34 YSO scintillator coupled to an 8 $\times$ 8 Position-Sensitive Photo-Multiplier Tube (PSPMT) via a tapered light guide. The detector was used at RIBF, RIKEN, for time-of-flight-based neutron spectroscopy measurement in the $^{78}$Ni region. The detector provides the position and timing resolution necessary for ion-beta correlations and ToF measurements. The detector provides a high $\sim$ 80 $\%$ beta-detection efficiency and a sub-nanosecond timing resolution. This contribution discusses the details of the design, operation, implementation, and analysis developed to obtain neutron time-of-flight spectrum and the analysis methods in the context of neutron-rich nuclei in the $^{78}$Ni region.