Event Identification in ${}^3$He Proportional Counters Using Risetime Discrimination

Abstract

We present a straightforward method for particle identification and background rejection in ${}^3$He proportional counters for use in neutron detection. By measuring the risetime and pulse height of the preamplifier signals, one may define a region in the risetime versus pulse height space where the events are predominately from neutron interactions. For six proportional counters surveyed in a low-background environment, we demonstrate the ability to reject alpha-particle events with an efficiency of 99%. By applying the same method, we also show an effective rejection of microdischarge noise events that, when passed through a shaping amplifier, are indistinguishable from physical events in the counters. The primary application of this method is in measurements where the signal-to-background for counting neutrons is very low, such as in underground laboratories.

10 pages, 7 figures, Submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods A

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• Combined Analysis of all Three Phases of Solar Neutrino Data from the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory
• Measurement of airborne fission products in Chapel Hill, NC, USA from the Fukushima Dai-ichi reactor accident
• Low-Background gamma counting at the Kimballton Underground Research Facility
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