Position-sensitive detection of ultracold neutrons with an imaging camera and its implications to spectroscopy

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Authors: Wei, Wanchun, Broussard, L J, Hoffbauer, M A, Makela, M, Morris, C L, Tang, Z, Adamek, E R, Callahan, N B, Clayton, S M, Cude-Woods, C, Currie, S, Dees, E B, Ding, X, Geltenbort, P, Hickerson, K P, Holley, A T, Ito, T M, Leung, K K, C -Y Liu, Morley, D J, Ortiz, Jose D, Pattie, R W, Jr, Ramsey, J C, Saunders, A, Seestrom, S J, Sharapov, E I, Sjue, S K, Wexler, J, Womack, T L, Young, A R, Zeck, B A, Wang, Zhehui
• Format: Paper Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 12.05.2016
• Subjects: Acceleration; Charge coupled devices; Energy resolution; Imaging; Luminous intensity; Multilayers; Neutrons; Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors; Position sensing; Spatial resolution; Spectrum analysis
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1604.08292

Position-sensitive detection of ultracold neutrons (UCNs) is demonstrated using an imaging charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. A spatial resolution less than 15 \(\mu\)m has been achieved, which is equivalent to an UCN energy resolution below 2 pico-electron-volts through the relation \(\delta E = m_0g \delta x\). Here, the symbols \(\delta E\), \(\delta x\), \(m_0\) and \(g\) are the energy resolution, the spatial resolution, the neutron rest mass and the gravitational acceleration, respectively. A multilayer surface convertor described previously is used to capture UCNs and then emits visible light for CCD imaging. Particle identification and noise rejection are discussed through the use of light intensity profile analysis. This method allows different types of UCN spectroscopy and other applications.