| Methods of improving the neutron count rate in the energy range 3 to 100-300 [keV] at the 100 [m] detector station for the Gaerttner LINAC Center were studied. One part of this undertaking was the explore alterations to the main photonuclear target used for this energy range. Detailed simulations using Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code (MCNP, version 5) were carried out and the results used to synthesize an optimized target design. Simulation predicted a gain in neutron intensity of 1.63 at 4.49 [keV], above the current target capability. Experiment found a gain of 1.42 at 4.89 [keV] over the current target.;An addition of 1% boric acid to the water in the moderating ring of the current target is predicted to result in a factor of 111 ± 12 increase in the neutron to photon ratio above baseline for 3.51 [keV] neutrons at 100 [m]; this value is for photons above 700 [keV]. The gain in neutron intensity for the optimized target comes with a gain in photon intensity. A 1% boric acid addition to this design has same neutron to photon ratio as with the boric acid addition to the current target (for 3.51 [keV] neutrons).;In an alternate approach to enhancing the neutron counts, a prototype plastic scintillator was studied as a possible replacement for the extant lithium glass scintillators, with experiments finding major increases to the neutron counts in the energy range of interest. The plastic scintillator prototype was found to produce gains of 1.86, 3.61, 1.76 and 3.16 at 70.1, 127, 219, and 307 [keV], respectively, over a lithium glass detector. However, at 24.5 [keV] the plastic prototype count rate was only 36% of that measured with the lithium glass detector. The prototype detector geometry and its associated electronics need to be altered in order to actualize the true potential of the plastic scintillator detector. |
