Energy response characterization of current-mode MeV Cherenkov aerogel detectors

Current-mode Cherenkov aerogel detectors have been used to measure time resolved spectra of MeV radiographic x-ray sources and have been considered to replace gas Cherenkov systems. The simulations of the Cherenkov response of aerogel detectors have uncertainties in how to model the complex structure of aerogels. Data from three sites-the Idaho electron beam, the Los Alamos Site electron beam and microtron sources at Los Alamos-have been used to calibrate the relative energy response of 15 aerogels, varying in density from 10 to 430 mg/cm3, from incident electrons with energies from 1 to 12 MeV. Detector simulations need to introduce density variation in the aerogels to match the collected data.