Neutron detection capabilities of Water Cherenkov Detectors

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment Vol. 952; p. 161962
• Main Authors: Sidelnik, Iván, Asorey, Hernán, Guarin, Nicolás, Durán, Mauricio Suaréz, Bessia, Fabricio Alcalde, Arnaldi, Luis Horacio, Berisso, Mariano Gómez, Lipovetzky, José, Pérez, Martín, Haro, Miguel Sofo, Blostein, Juan Jerónimo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2020
• Subjects: Cherenkov effect; Homeland security; Neutron detection; Space weather; Water Cherenkov Detector; Water Cherenkov Detector; Homeland security; Cherenkov effect; Space weather; Neutron detection
• ISSN: 0168-9002; 1872-9576
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2019.03.017

In this work we show the neutron detection capabilities of a water Cherenkov detector (WCD). The experiments presented here were performed using a simple WCD with a single photomultiplier tube (PMT) and a 252Cf neutron source. We compared the use of pure water and water with non contaminant additive as the detection volume. We show that fast neutrons from the 252Cf source can be detected over the flux of atmospheric particles background. Our first estimation for the neutron detection efficiency is at the level of (19)% for pure water and (44)% for the water with the additive. We also present the simulation of the response of the WCD to neutrons using a simulated 252Cf source. We implemented a detailed model of the WCD and of the neutron source spectra using Geant 4. The results of our simulations show the detailed mechanism for the detection of neutrons using WCD and support the experimental evidences presented. Since both active volumes studied, H2O pure and with additive, are cheap, non-toxic and easily accessible materials, the results obtained are of interest for the development of large neutron detectors for different applications. Of special importance are those related with space weather phenomena as well as those for the detection of special nuclear materials. We conclude that WCD used as neutron detectors can be a complementary tool for standard neutron monitors based on 3He.