Directional fast neutron detection using a time projection chamber and plastic scintillation detectors

Abstract A new method for directional fast neutron detection is proposed based on a neutron time projection chamber (TPC) and position-sensitive plastic scintillation detectors. The detection system can efficiently locate the approximate location of a hot spot with 4 π field-of-view using only the neutron TPC. Then, the system generates a high-resolution image of the hot spot using selected coincidence events in the TPC and the scintillation detectors. A prototype was built and tested using a 252 Cf source. An efficiency of 7.1 × 10 −3 was achieved for fast searching. The angular resolution was 7.8°(full width at half maximum, FWHM) for high-resolution imaging using the simple back projection method.