Comparison of various stopping gases for ³He-based position sensitive neutron detectors

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• 作者：A. Doumas^a ; G.C. Smith^b ; ^{gsmith@bnl.gov}
• 关键词：Thermal neutron ; Gas detector ; Position resolution ; Proton triton range
• 刊名：Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A ; Accelerators ; Spectrometers ; Detectors and Associated Equipment
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：41_01689002
• 类别：ph
• 出版时间：21 May, 2012
• 卷：675
• 期：Complete
• 页码：8-14
• 文件大小：771 K

摘要

A range of solid state, scintillator and gas based detectors are being developed for use at the next generation of high flux neutron facilities. Since gas detectors are expected to continue to play a key role in future specific thermal neutron experiments, a comparison of the performance characteristics of prospective stopping gases is beneficial. Gas detectors typically utilize the reaction ³He(n,p)t to detect thermal neutrons; the ³He gas is used in a mixture containing a particular stopping gas in order to maintain relatively short ranges for the proton and triton pair emitted from the n-³He reaction. Common stopping gases include hydrocarbons (e.g. propane), carbon tetrafluoride, and noble gases such as argon and xenon. For this study, we utilized the Monte Carlo simulation code 鈥淪topping and Range of Ions in Matter鈥?to analyze the expected behavior of argon, xenon, carbon dioxide, difluoroethane and octafluoropropane as stopping gases for thermal neutron detectors. We also compare these findings to our previously analyzed performance of propane, butane and carbon tetrafluoride. A discussion of these gases includes their behavior in terms of proton and triton range, ionization distribution and straggle.