Development of a Linear Position-Sensitive Scintillation Neutron Detector Based on ZnS(Ag):⁶Li and Silicon Photomultipliers

A linear position-sensitive neutron detector based on two silicon photomultipliers and an organic light guide has been developed. Determination of the coordinate of the neutron hitting the detector comes from analyzing the amplitude of the signal received from two silicon photomultipliers located at the ends of the light guide. The results of measurements using a collimated ²⁵²Cf source and two types of detectors based on silicon photomultipliers from Sensl with a diffusion reflector and from Hamamatsu without and with a diffusion reflector are presented. Signals from silicon photomultipliers are recorded using an analog-to-digital converter. The neutron impact coordinates are analyzed using the amplitude characteristics of the photosignal. For a detector based on silicon photomultiplier from Sensl, there is no obvious dependence of the signal amplitude on the coordinate of the neutron detection event, in contrast to detectors from Hamamatsu. The resolution of the detector coated with a diffusion reflector is about 10 mm, and without the diffusion reflector it is approximately 5 mm.