title: Modelling of composite neutron scintillators.
abstract: Composite neutron scintillators consisting of neutron-insensitive fluorescent dopant particles (e.g. ZnS:Ag) embedded in a matrix material containing isotopes with high neutron cross sections that emit energetic charged particles (e.g. 6Li) are a popular method for neutron detection in a variety of applications. The size and volume doping fraction of the fluorescent dopant particles and the densities of both dopant particles and the matrix material determine the characteristics of the pulse-height spectrum of emitted light and the probability that capture of a neutron will result in scintillation. In this work, we characterise the effects of these parameters for ZnS:Ag particles in a lithiated glass matrix using a Monte Carlo simulation of composite neutron detectors that we have constructed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Engineering, Pasqua Engineering Building, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-2300, USA. astephan@utk.edu
authors.forename: Andrew C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Stephan
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Laurence F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009502:Neutrons; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012588:Scintillation Counting / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012834:Silver / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D013440:Sulfides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D012834:Silver; C031238:zinc sulfide