Development of a multi-channel diamond detector array for pulsed deuterium-tritium fusion neutron diagnostics

With both a fast time response and good energy resolution from the 12C (n, α) 9Be reaction, single crystal chemical vapor deposition diamonds are a valuable tool for measuring neutrons in fusion experiments. To measure both the reaction rate timing and neutron energy spectra at Helion Energy's Polaris fusion prototype, a 64-channel array of diamond detectors was developed. The large number of channels allows acquisition of spectra with sufficient counting statistics for each 100 μs-1 ms fusion neutron burst from Polaris. We report here the design of the detector array, selection of the preamplifiers, and characterization of the array with neutron sources.