Experimental studies on pulsed neutron sensitivity of a fusion neutron spectrometer

Abstract

A sensitivity optimized magnetic proton recoil (MPROS) spectrometer for measuring both steady and pulsed fusion neutron spectra in several complicated environments is developed. The proton energy-position projection relationship of the spectrometer is measured by utilizing an imaging plate. The energy response to neutron sensitivity of the MPROS spectrometer is studied through a single event count method on an accelerated steady DT neutron source and simulations by a three-dimensional charged particle transport code. The detection efficiency of the spectrometer to DT neutrons reaches a level of 2×10-5 cm2 through high efficiency parameter settings, therefore the experimental data of high statistic accuracy are obtained on a comparatively weak neutron source. Results from simulations and experiments, such as α particle calibrations, and DT neutron calibrations, achieve good consistency. Based on this conclusion, precise solution technique of measured spectra can be developed to increase the sensitivity and energy resolution of measurements of pulsed neutron spectroscopy.