• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제50권8호
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• pp.1426-1432
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• 2018

This paper presents a neutron detector configuration using EJ-301 scintillation liquid, a R9420 photo-multiplier and a homemade preamplifier. The detector qualities which include the energy linearity, efficiency response and neutron/gamma discrimination are guaranteed for neutron detection in the energy range from 0 to 3000 keVee. Regarding the neutron/gamma discrimination capability, four pulse shape discrimination (PSD) methods which are the threshold crossing time (TCT), pulse gradient analysis (PGA), charge comparison (CC) and correlation pattern recognition (CPR), were evaluated and discussed; among of these, the CPR method provides the best neutron/gamma discrimination.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제52권10호
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• pp.2306-2312
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• 2020

Here we report on the first results of sensitivity evaluation of the gadolinium-aluminum-gallium- garnet (GAGG) scintillation detector with SiPM readout to fast and slow neutrons and, to the natural background and Co-60 γ-radiation as well. Data on sensitivity were obtained using certified dosimetry benches, so it can be utilized in the calculation of detection limits of neutron flux with such type of detectors. It was concluded that use of GAGG scintillator has a good prospect for neutron monitoring in different parts of nuclear research reactors and power plants.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권9호
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• pp.3133-3139
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• 2023

Neutron imaging technology as a means of non-destructive detection of materials is complementary to X-ray imaging. Silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), a new type of optical readout device, has overcome some shortcomings of traditional photomultiplier tube (PMT), such as high-power consumption, large volume, high price, uneven gain response, and inability to work in strong magnetic fields. Its application in the field of neutron detection will be an irresistible general trend. In this paper, a thermal neutron imaging detector based on ⁶LiF/ZnS scintillation screen and SiPM array readout was developed. The design of the detector geometry was optimized by geant4 Monte Carlo simulation software. The optimized detector was evaluated with a step wedge sample. The results show that the detector prototype with a 48 mm × 48 mm sensitive area can achieve about 38% detection efficiency and 0.26 mm position resolution when using a 300 ㎛ thick ⁶LiF/ZnS scintillation screen and a 2 mm thick Bk7 optical guide coupled with SiPM array, and has good neutron imaging capability. It provides effective data support for developing high-performance imaging detectors applied to the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS).

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.1021-1030
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• 2023

We propose an overall procedure for measuring and unfolding fast neutron spectra using a trans-stilbene scintillation detector. Detector characterization was described, including the information on energy calibration, detector resolution, and nonproportionality response. The digital charge comparison method was used for the investigation of neutron-gamma Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD). A pair of values of 600 ns pulse width and 24 ns delay time was found as the optimized conditions for PSD. A fitting technique was introduced to increase the trans-stilbene Proton Response Function (PRF) by 28% based on comparison of the simulated and experimental electron-equivalent distributions by the Cf-252 source. The detector response matrix was constructed by Monte-Carlo simulation and the spectrum unfolding was implemented using the iterative Bayesian method. The unfolding of simulated and measured spectra of Cf-252 and AmBe neutron sources indicates reliable, stable and no-bias results. The unfolding technique was also validated by the measured cosmic-ray induced neutron flux. Our approach is promising for fast neutron detection and spectroscopy.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.1030-1036
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• 2022

A high detection efficiency thermal neutron detector based on the ⁶LiF/ZnS(Ag) scintillation screens, wavelength-shifting fibers (WLSF) and Silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) readout is under development at China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) for the Engineering Material Diffractometer (EMD).A prototype with a sensitive volume of 180mm×192mm has been built. Signals from SiPMs are processed by the self-design Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The performances of this detector prototype are as follows: neutron detection efficiency could reach 50.5% at 1 Å, position resolution of 3, the dark count rate <0.1Hz, the maximum count rate >200KHz. Such detector prototype could be an elementary unit for applications in the EMD detector arrays.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.1667-1671
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• 2024

This paper presents a neutron/gamma detector based on a micropixel avalanche photodiode and a plastic scintillator that monitors the status of the accelerator-driven intense resonance neutron source (IREN) facility by measuring the neutron/gamma intensity in the target hall. The electronics of the neutron/gamma detector has been designed and developed. The size of the plastic scintillator was selected to be 3.7 × 3.7 × 30 mm³ due to the sensitive area of the MAPD. The experimental results demonstrated a dependence between the count rate of the detector and the frequency of the accelerator. The detector is sensitive to intermediate and fast neutrons. The minimum detectable energy was determined to be 200 keV using Cs-137 point gamma source. The maximum counting rate of the detector from TTL out is about 2.2⋅10⁶ counts/sec, but for analogue output it is about 2⋅10⁷ counts/sec. The detector can not allow discriminating neutrons and gamma rays by charge integration method.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.143-148
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• 2013

원자력발전소 및 입자 가속기 등 상용화된 원자력관계시설에서는 해당 시설 내부의 구조 및 위치 등에 따라 다양한 에너지를 가진 중성자스펙트럼을 나타내며 이에 대한 중성자선량 평가 및 작업자의 방사선방호 조치에 대한 수요는 점차 증가하고 있다. 중성자스펙트럼을 측정하기 위해서 일반적으로 보너구 스펙트로메터가 많이 이용된다. 보너구 스펙트로메터를 이용한 중성자 스펙트럼 측정의 경우 중성자검출기의 반응함수, 초기추정 스펙트럼, 계수율 측정값을 사용하여 중성자스펙트럼 언폴딩을 수행하게 된다. 본 연구에서는 MC50 사이클로트론에서 발생하는 중성자스펙트럼을 LiI 섬광검출기 기반의 보너구 스펙트로메터를 이용하여 측정하였으며 표적에 입사되는 양성자 에너지와 위치에 따른 중성자선속, 중성자 평균에너지 및 선량률 자료를 정량적으로 평가하였다.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권9호
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• pp.3506-3513
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• 2023

In this paper, we demonstrate the neutron attenuation of dry cask shielding materials using the S670e helium-4 detector manufactured by Arktis Radiation Ltd. In particular, two materials expected to be applied to the TN-32 dry cask manufactured by ORANO Korea and KORAD-21 by the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD) were utilized. The measured neutron attenuation was compared with our Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport simulation results, and the difference is given as the root mean square (RMS). For the fast neutron case, a rapid decline in neutron counts was observed as a function of increasing material thickness, exhibiting an exponential relationship. The discrepancy between the experimentally acquired data and simulation results for the fast neutron was maintained within a 2.3% RMS. In contrast, the observed thermal neutron count demonstrated an initial rise, attained a maximum value, and exhibited an exponential decline as a function of increasing thickness. In particular, the discrepancy between the measured and simulated peak locations for thermal neutrons displayed an RMS deviation of approximately 17.3-22.4%. Finally, the results suggest that a minimum thickness of 5 cm for Li-6 is necessary to achieve a sufficiently significant cross-section, effectively capturing incoming thermal neutrons within the dry cask.

• 전기전자학회논문지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.408-411
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• 2017

본 논문에서는 중성자, 감마선, 엑스선 등의 방사선을 측정하는 통합 제어 시스템을 제안한다. 제안하는 시스템은 원격 또는 네트워크상으로 측정 및 분석한 데이터를 디스플레이를 통해 모니터링 및 제어할 수 있는 장비로서, 현장에 가지 않고도 시스템 각 구성 부분의 상태를 보고 변경하여 원격으로 감시 및 관리할 수 있다. 제안하는 시스템은 감마선/엑스선 센서부, 중성자 센서부, 주제어 임베디드 시스템부, 전용 디스플레이 장치 및 GUI부, 원격 UI부 등으로 구성된다. 감마선/엑스선 센서부는 NaI(Tl) Scintillation Detector를 사용하여 저준위의 감마선 및 엑스선을 측정한다. 중성자 센서부는 Proportional Counter Detector(저준위 중성자)와 Ion Chamber Type Detector(고준위 중성자)를 사용하여 중성자를 측정한다. 주제어 임베디드 시스템부는 방사선을 검출하여 초단위로 샘플링하고 누적된 펄스 및 전류값에 대한 방사선량으로 변환한다. 전용 디스플레이 장치 및 GUI부는 방사선 측정 결과와 변환된 방사선량 및 방사능량 측정 수치를 출력하고, 사용자에게 제어 조건 설정 및 검출부에 대한 캘리브레이션 기능을 제공한다. 원격 UI부는 측정된 값들을 취합, 저장하여 원격 감시 시스템에 전달한다. 제안된 시스템의 성능을 평가하기 위하여 공인시험기관에서 실험한 결과는 중성자 검출부는 ${\pm}8.2%$ 이하의 측정 불확도가 측정되었고, 감마선, 엑스선 검출부는 7.5%이하의 불확도가 측정되어 국제 표준인 ${\pm}15%$ 이하에서 정상동작 됨이 확인되었다.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.1024-1029
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• 2022

Composite scintillation screens on a base of Gd_1.2Y_1.8Ga_2.5Al_2.5O₁₂:Ce (GYAGG) scintillator have been evaluated for neutron detection. Besides the powdered scintillator, the composite includes ⁶LiF particles; both are merged with a binder and deposited onto the light-reflecting aluminum substrate. Results obtained demonstrates that screens are suitable for use with a silicon photomultiplier readout to create a prospective solution for a compact and low-cost thermal neutron sensor. Composite GYAGG/⁶LiF scintillation screen shows a pretty matched sensitivity and γ-background rejection with a widely used ZnS/⁶LiF screens however, possesses forty times faster response.