Unfolding neutron spectra using splines

Organic scintillators detect neutrons by scattering reactions with hydrogen nuclei (protons) in organic compounds. The recoil protons then produce the light output from the scintillator. The energy spectrum of neutrons impinging on the scintillator has to be determined from this light output using a so-called unfolding algorithm. However, this problem is ill-posed and therefore difficult to solve. In this study, a new method for unfolding neutron spectra is presented. This method uses B-splines approximation of neutron energy spectrum. Results of this method are shown for test data and experimental data and compared to the results of the previously developed unfolding method.