High-Energy Neutron Detectors Employing Liquid Scintillators

Abstract

Two liquid scintillation type neutron detectors with efficiencies of the order of 5% for counting 130‐Mev neutrons have been studied. A fairly monoenergetic source of neutrons was obtained from the photodisintegration of deuterons. Estimates were made of the efficiencies of the counters as a function of bias. Experiments indicate: (1) an appreciable effect of the products of neutron reactions with carbon; (2) the efficiency can be more accurately predicted for a small counter although the behavior of large counters can be qualitatively predicted; (3) the attenuation due to a lead shield in the beam depends upon the neutron energy, the bias, and the geometry; (4) lead shielding on the sides is relatively unimportant if kept thin.