NuPNET: NEDENSAA (NEutron DEtector developments for Nuclear Structure, Astrophysics and Applications )

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1 NuPNET: NEDENSAA (NEutron DEtector developments for Nuclear Structure, Astrophysics and Applications ) J.J. Valiente Dobón (LNL-INFN) on behalf of the NEDENSAA collaboration

2 NuPNET Approval in August 2011 Duration: 36 months Start: 01/11/2011 End: 01/11/2014 Total funding: euro

3 Objective of the project Eight countries (Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Turkey) The present project is an effort to pool available resources and on going R&D by various groups throughout Europe with the aim of providing significant improvements in neutron detection. The project is divided in different work packages that cover the various technologies and methods relevant for the improvement of the detection of neutrons. These range from the chemistry for development of new scintillator materials, testing of the new materials as well as the comparison with existing ones, the study of innovative concepts for neutron detection, scintillator readout with SiPM, digital electronics as well as the study of the optimal geometry of the neutron detectors with other detector arrays (such as Ge arrays). In addition, efforts will be made explicitly towards networking and training so that the expertise and technological advances made within the project will be available to all and will reach beyond the lifetime of the project.

4 Partners of NuPNET Italy INFN France CNRS/IN2P3 France CEA/DRT/LIST/DCSI/LCAE (associate) Finland University of Jyväskylä Spain CIEMAT Germany TU Dresden Bulgaria INRNE Spain IFIC Turkey TÜBITAK (associate) Sweden Uppsala University (associate) Hungary ATOMKI (under discussion)

5 Kick-off meeting Kick-off meeting the 15 th 17 th February 2012 at Madrid.

6 Working Packages Total of seven WP where the different groups/ countries have join the common interests

7 WG1: Development of new Materials Teamleader: L. Stuttgé France: Strasbourg : - IPHC L. Stuttgé et al - IPCMS L. Douce, E. Bouajila et al Caen : - LPC F. Delaunay et al - LCMT T.-N. Pham et al Saclay : - CEA M. Hamel et al Italy Trento : - Univ. of Trento A. Quaranta et al - motivation: existing material - mainly organic liquid scintillators dangerous, toxic, corrosive, flammable, - don t fulfil present and coming security rules - unusable under vacuum no new development since the 1970s! - aim: development of a new material for neutron detection - solid - performances existing material (g-neutron discrimination, energy resolution, intrinsic efficiency) - interest: solid >> usable under vacuum & shapes and dimensions adaptable to any need nuclear physics: NEDA and DEMON type detectors, FAZIA coll., other domains: power plants, airports, hospitals, - difficulty: little knowledge on the origin of discrimination (fluorescence) little theoretical support many open ways

8 WG1: Tasks task 1: synthesis and characterization with sources : light production, time constants, neutron-g discrimination task 2: tests under monoenergetic neutron beams to characterize efficiency, energy and time resolution, resistance against radiations task 3: prototype including detector + electronics and data acquisition

9 WG2: Characterisation of scitillators Teamleader: H. Penttilä Purpose: measure the response of the detector materials to neutron radiation in well-controlled radiation conditions Materials to be investigated and characterized To be decided: however, among the interesting ones are: LaBr 3 /LaCl 3 /CeBr 3 crystals coupled to appropriate neutron converters inorganic scintillators doped with lithium, with and without 6 Li enrichment organic scintillators with 10 B and 6 Li doping: BC523A, BC454A elpasolites such as [Ce-doped] CLLB (Cs 2 LiLaBr 6 ) CLLC (Cs 2 LiLaCl 6 ) and CLYC (Cs 2 LiYCl 6 ) new materials developed in WG1 Possible facilities to provide neutron field Neutron generators: 14 MeV neutrons ERINDA facilities

10 WG3: Innovative detector concepts Teamleader: D. Cano-Ott Investigation of the limits and new uses of existing materials, as well the optimisation of the geometries, assembly and detector response for specific applications. These studies will include the characterisation of the detector time/energy resolution, efficiency and detection threshold. The materials to be investigated and characterised are: - LaBr3/LaCl3/CeBr3 crystals coupled to appropriate neutron converters which generate ionising particles that can be detected in the scintillators. - Inorganic scintillators doped with 6Li, like LiI with and without 6Li enrichment. - Organic scintillators doped with 10B and 6Li: BC523A, BC454A among others. - Elpasolites like CLLB, CLLC and CLYC.

11 WG3: Tasks Detailed Monte Carlo simulations for the new detector concepts of low and intermediate energy neutron detectors based on inorganic and organic scintillators. Optimal configuration of neutron detectors based on teh existing materials. Two reference scenarios: Beta-decay studies MONSTER like Neutron multiplicity NEDA like Most promising cases will be built/purchased and irradiated with known neutron fields: 252Cf source, D/D and/or D/T neutron generator and making use of ERINDA.

12 WG4: Photosensors Teamleader: T.E. Cowan/D. Bemmerer Guiding question: Can large scintillators be read out with SiPM s? Motivated by NeuLAND neutron detector at FAIR, and similar devices Can SiPM's replace PMT's for these applications? Build on existing HZDR collaboration with KETEK company (Munich Germany)

13 WG4: Plans Status KETEK 3 x 3 mm2 SiPM, as of now 3600 pixels 60% geometrical efficiency Peak sensitivity at 420 nm, good fit to peak wavelength of RP408 scintillator at 425 nm Problems that need to be addressed: Dark count rate Active area Time resolution for cm2 size arrays Price Plans Test time resolution, also in-beam e.g. at HZDR-ELBE Understand scaling laws Threshold Dark count rate Test larger SiPM's also by other suppliers

14 WG5: Processing Technologies Teamleader: D. Tonev Need of fully digitized the neutron signal Syncronization of the neutron detectors with other arrays Tasks Estimate the digitazing frecuency for gamma/neutron discrimination Timing Digital trigger for syncronization

15 Digital electronics: Neural Network l Applying an artificial neural network can increase the quality even further

16 WG6: Design neutron and γ detectors Teamleader: A. Algora Main objective: optimization of neutron detector geometries under development for different applications and laboratories and their optimal combination with gamma detector arrays. Exploiting the synergy and similitude of the different TOF applications. Tasks: creation of a common simulation framework (event generator, geometries, physics, analysis tools, etc) Subtasks: study of neutron and gamma detector geometries using Geant4 that maximise the efficiency of the separate and combined setups. Study of cross-talk between detectors, improvement of multi-neutron detection capability. Validation of the simulation tools Main fields of application: in-beam studies of proton rich nuclei (selection of weak reaction channels), beta-delayed neutron emission studies (detailed spectroscopy of beta delayed neutrons)

17 WG7: Training and Networking Teamleader: A. Quaranta Organization of schools on neutron detection. Web site to share reports and information. Organization of seminars and workshops on the results obtained by the different research units.

18 Summary NuPNET project just started Duration: 36 months: start: 01/11/ end: 01/11/2014 Total funding: euro Eight countries (Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Turkey) Discussions just started with Hungary Seven WG to take care of the different issues related to neutron detection Aim of providing significant improvements in neutron detection Another important aim is to create a strong european collaboration where the sharing of knowledge on neutron detection techniques will benefit all the community. Student training Kick-off meeting the 15 th 17 th February 2012 at Madrid.