Resolution and Linearity of Anger-Type Neutron-Position Detectors as Simulated with Different Signal Processing and Optics

Abstract

The spatial linearity and resolution of Angertype neutron-position scintillation detectors are studied using a semi-empirical model. Detector optics with either an air gap or optical grease between the scintillator and the dispersive light guide are considered. An air gap focuses the scintillation light on the photomultiplier tubes nearest the scintillation point. Four signal processing methods which truncate signals from photomultipler tubes distant from the scintillation are compared with the linear resistive weighting method. Using linear processing, air-gap optics yield a 25% improvement in resolution distance and an 80% reduction in integral nonlinearity relative to grease-coupled optics. With either optics, using signal truncation instead of linear processing improves the resolution distance 5-15%.