Neutron Shell:: a high efficiency array of neutron detectors for γ-ray spectroscopic studies with Gammasphere

A shell of neutron detectors was designed, constructed, and employed in gamma-ray spectroscopy with Gammasphere. It consists of up to 35 tapered regular hexagons that replace the same number of forward Ge-detector modules in Gammasphere. The shell was designed for high detection efficiency and very good neutron-gamma discrimination. The simultaneous use of time-of-flight, and two methods of pulse shape discrimination between neutrons and gamma rays is described. Techniques for spectroscopy with efficient detection of two neutrons are discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.