Characterization and description of a spectrum unfolding method for the CATRiNA neutron detector array

The CATRiNA deuterated neutron detector array at Florida State University consists of 16 2″×2″ and 16 4″×2″ EJ-315 detectors with characteristic light output and pulse-shape discrimination capabilities. The unique properties of the detectors, in part due to the anisotropic nature of (d,n) scattering, are used to extract the energy of neutrons via pulse-height spectrum unfolding. The unfolding method uses the light output and response matrix of the detectors to extract neutron energies, independent of the traditional time-of-flight (ToF) technique. Detailed response matrices of the CATRiNA detectors were measured at the Edwards Accelerator Laboratory at Ohio University via the 9Be(d,n) and 27Al(d,n) reactions. Full characterization of the detectors using digital electronics, as well as a description of the unfolding method are reported.