Development of fast 2.5 MeV neutron detectors for high-intensity stray magnetic field environments

Several small to medium-scale magnetic confinement fusion devices operate using deuterium as fuel. These low neutron rate (108-1010 n/s) devices rely on 2.45 MeV neutron measurements to validate physical models and to assess their performance. Given the modest rate, neutron monitors have to be placed as close as possible to the machine to maximize data gathering. In these regions, intense stray magnetic fields could affect the detector's performance. In this work, the development of a neutron detector based on an EJ-276D scintillator crystal coupled with a SiPM and a custom-made readout system is presented. The detector has particle discrimination capability and is insensitive to magnetic fields.