Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.nima.2018.06.052
Document author version
Title (Primary) Response functions for detectors in cosmic ray neutron sensing
Author Köhli, M.; Schrön, M.; Schmidt, U.
Source Titel Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Year 2018
Department MET
Volume 902
Page From 184
Page To 189
Language englisch
Keywords Neutron detection; Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing; Efficiency; Energy dependence; Monte-Carlo; Bonner Sphere
Abstract

Cosmic-Ray Neutron Sensing (CRNS) is a novel technique for determining environmental water content by measuring albedo neutrons in the epithermal to fast energy range with moderated neutron detectors. We have investigated the response function of stationary and mobile neutron detectors typically used for environmental research in order to improve the model accuracy for neutron transport studies. Monte Carlo simulations have been performed in order to analyze the detection probability in terms of energy-dependent response and angular sensitivity for different variants of CRNS detectors and converter gases. Our results reveal the sensor’s response to neutron energies from 0.1 eV to 106 eV and highest sensitivity to vertical fluxes. The detector efficiency shows good agreement with reference data from the structurally similar Bonner Spheres. The relative probability of neutrons contributing to the overall integrated signal is especially important in regions with non-uniform albedo fluxes, such as complex terrain or heterogeneous distribution of hydrogen pools

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=20858
Köhli, M., Schrön, M., Schmidt, U. (2018):
Response functions for detectors in cosmic ray neutron sensing
Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A 902 , 184 - 189 10.1016/j.nima.2018.06.052