Modelling of composite neutron scintillators

Composite neutron scintillators consisting of neutron-insensitive fluorescent dopant particles (e.g. ZnS:Ag) embedded in a matrix material containing isotopes with high neutron cross sections that emit energetic charged particles (e.g. 6Li) are a popular method for neutron detection in a variety of applications. The size and volume doping fraction of the fluorescent dopant particles and the densities of both dopant particles and the matrix material determine the characteristics of the pulse-height spectrum of emitted light and the probability that capture of a neutron will result in scintillation. In this work, we characterise the effects of these parameters for ZnS:Ag particles in a lithiated glass matrix using a Monte Carlo simulation of composite neutron detectors that we have constructed.