Neutron Spectrum Unfolding with ~4He Fast Neutron Detectors Using An Iterative Least Squares Approach

摘要

Time-of-flight measurements were performed to determine the ~4He pressurized gas fast neutron detectors response function and the the ability of the detectors to perform neutron spectrum unfolding. An experimentally validated neutron energy response function was used in conjunction with an iterative least squares unfolding technique to unfold the continuous Maxwellian spectrum from a ~(252)Cf source, a PuBe source spectrum, and a D-D neutron generator spectrum. The results were compared to similar unfolding efforts with other neutron detectors, and will be used for nuclear non-proliferation and spent nuclear fuel monitoring by discerning (α,n) and fission source fraction of the measured spectra.