A collimator design for using HPGe detectors in neutron beams

Abstract

The use of detectors in neutron beams, particularly within Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) facilities, is essential for accurate elemental analysis. However, operating these detectors in high-dose radiation fields presents significant challenges, primarily due to high background radiation rates. In this study, three distinct collimator designs were evaluated through Monte Carlo simulations, using the gamma spectrum from a fission reactor as the radiation source. The best-performing collimator was shown to optimize the performance of HPGe detectors, enhancing the accuracy of elemental detection under high-background conditions.