Fast neutron detectors with silicon photomultiplier readouts

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment Vol. 936; pp. 549 - 551
• Main Authors: Akbarov, R.A., Ahmadov, G.S., Ahmadov, F.I., Berikov, D., Holik, M., Mammadov, R., Nuruyev, S.M., Sadigov, A.Z., Sadygov, Z.Y., Tyutyunnikov, S.I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 21-08-2019
• Subjects: Charge comparison; MAPD; Micropixel avalanche photodiode; PSD; Pulse shape discrimination; Silicon photomultiplier; SiPM; Zero crossing; PSD; Micropixel avalanche photodiode; SiPM; Pulse shape discrimination; Charge comparison; Zero crossing; MAPD; Silicon photomultiplier
• ISSN: 0168-9002; 1872-9576
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2018.11.089

This work summarizes a fast neutron detection performance of two different silicon photomultipliers from two manufacturers. The first SiPM (MAPD-3NK) from Zecotek Photonics consists of deeply buried cells with the active area 3.7×3.7 mm2. The second one (MPPC-S12572-010P) from Hamamatsu, however, consists of surface cell structure which the active area is 3×3 mm2. Both SiPMs have the same pixel density of 10000 mm−2. Both SiPMs coupled to Stilbene (5∗5∗5 mm3) and p-terphenyl (5∗5∗5 mm3) plastic scintillators were evaluated for detection ability of fast neutrons using a PuBe neutron source. Charge comparison and zero crossing neutron/gamma discrimination techniques were performed for these detectors and the results were compared. The obtained results prove a good fast neutron detection performance of the SiPMs which makes it possible to use these types of neutron detectors in fast neutron detection applications.