Construction, Calibration and Use of a Neutron Time-of-Flight Spectrometer.

摘要

The energy spectrum of a 5 curie Pu-Be neutron source is determined by use of a neutron time-of-flight spectrometer. This spectrometer measures the time it takes for a neutron to travel between two plastic scintillator detectors. Using a fixed distance for travel, a time spectrum is generated which is then unfolded into the energy spectrum of the source. The different aspects of equipment selection, connection and calibration of the system are described. With the resolved spectrum the energy resolution of the spectrometer is determined by using a Monte Carlo simulation of the experimental set-up. A dual-parameter experiment is conducted in which the proton recoil spectrum from the first detector is placed in coincidence with the time-of-flight data. Comparisons with the published spectrum from Arun Kumar and P. Nagarajan are made.