Calibration and Performance of the ENGREN Scintillation Array for Prompt Fission Neutron Spectrometry

Authors

  • Sh.S. Zeynalov Joint Institute for Nuclear Researches, Dubna, Russia Author
  • O.V. Sidorova Joint Institute for Nuclear Researches, Dubna, Russia; Dubna State University, Dubna, Russia Author
  • D.B. Berikov Joint Institute for Nuclear Researches, Dubna, Russia; Institute of Nuclear Physics, Almaty, Kazakhstan Author
  • A.I. Madadzada Joint Institute for Nuclear Researches, Dubna, Russia; Nuclear Research Department, Innovation and Digital Development Agency, Baku, Azerbaijan Author
  • S.M. Nuruyev Joint Institute for Nuclear Researches, Dubna, Russia; Institute of Physics Under Ministry of Science and Education, Baku, Azerbaijan Author
  • G.S. Ahmadov Joint Institute for Nuclear Researches, Dubna, Russia; Nuclear Research Department, Innovation and Digital Development Agency, Baku, Azerbaijan; Institute of Physics Under Ministry of Science and Education, Baku, Azerbaijan; Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, Baku, Azerbaijan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32523/ejpfm.2026100202

Keywords:

double ionization chamber, nuclear fission, fission fragments, total kinetic energy, prompt fission neutrons, mass distribution, liquid scintillation detectors

Abstract

In experiments performed at GELINA (IRMM, Belgium) and IREN (FLNP JINR, Dubna, Russia) facilities, variations in the total kinetic energy (TKE) of fission fragments as a function of incident neutron energy were experimentally observed in the resonance region of 235U fission. These observations provided a basis to assume a correlation between the number of prompt fission neutrons and the TKE. To further investigate this dependence, the ENGREN setup was developed. It consists of a twin Frisch-gridded ionization chamber (GIC) with a target at its center, surrounded by 32 detectors based on EJ-309 liquid scintillator arranged in a spherical configuration around the GIC. The setup is designed for simultaneous measurement of the TKE and angular distributions of fission fragments, as well as for registration of prompt fission neutrons. We present its comprehensive calibration and performance validation. Energy calibration was performed by comparing measured gamma-ray spectra (22Na, 137Cs, 60Co) with Monte Carlo simulations, establishing a linear response ( R2 = 0.9977 ) and an energy resolution of ∆E/E = 7.7% at 1.333 MeV. The resolution parameters are consistent with the characteristics of organic liquid scintillators. Optimal neutron-gamma pulse shape discrimination (PSD) was achieved, with Figure of Merit (FoM) values matching standard specifications. The system’s readiness is demonstrated by a geometric efficiency of 4.55% and successful test measurements with a 235U target at the JINR IREN facility, confirming its capability for high-statistics fission studies.

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Published

2026-06-15

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026): Volume 10, Number 2 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

(1)
Zeynalov, S.; Sidorova, O.; Berikov, D.; Madadzada, A.; Nuruyev, S.; Ahmadov, G. Calibration and Performance of the ENGREN Scintillation Array for Prompt Fission Neutron Spectrometry. Eur. J. Phys. Funct. Mater. 2026, 10 (2), 121-136. https://doi.org/10.32523/ejpfm.2026100202.