The application of pulse shape discrimination in NE 213 to neutron spectrometry

Abstract The use of a zero-crossing pulse shape discrimination technique to distinguish protons from alpha particles in NE 213 is described, and a theoretical analysis is performed to predict the zero crossing characteristics. It is shown that, irrespective of the particular method of pulse shape discrimination employed, the pulse shape at low energies no longer uniquely determines the particle type for electrons, protons, alpha particles or 12 C nuclei, and the general limitations of pulse shape discrimination in NE 213 are deduced. The use of an alpha discrimination technique is then described, enabling neutron spectra to be unfolded from the measured detector response using a differentiak code.