Residual analysis based neutron-gamma pulses segregation of liquid scintillator detector

Abstract

An innovative residual analysis based method is proposed for pulse shape discrimination and segregation of neutron and gamma pulses of liquid scintillator-based detector (BC501A). This study develops a simple and efficient algorithm for discrimination of neutrons and gammas from mixed environment and then segregate the neutron and gamma pulses into two label datasets. This method involves analyzing the residuals between the measured pulse and the reference gamma pulse in normalized scale. By examining these residuals, users can identify characteristics unique to each type of radiation. The pulse shape discrimination performance obtained for a 5 inches by 5 inches (length by diameter) liquid scintillator detector using this residual method is found to be 20% better compared to that obtained using traditional charge comparison method.