A stabilized NE213 scintillator for neutron time-of-flight spectroscopy

Abstract A pulsed light emitting diode (LED) of constant light output is used as a reference light source to stabilize the amplification of a 4″o × 2″ NE2213 scintillation detector against long term drifts, temperature and count rate variations. The detector pulse height has been kept constant for several days to within ±0.5% [±1.0%] for temperatures between (20±1)°C[(20±5)°C] and count rates up to 20 kHz. The LED is rigidly coupled to the scintillator cell. The whole stabilization system including two coupled regulation loops is housed in a 2 12 NIM case. The electronic circuitry is presented in principle and in detail, and detector test results are discussed.