A prototype of the SiPM readout scintillator neutron detector for the Engineering Material Diffractometer of CSNS

Abstract A high detection efficiency thermal neutron detector based on the 6LiF/ZnS(Ag) scintillation screens, wavelength-shifting fibers (WLSF) and Silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) readout is under development at China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) for the Engineering Material Diffractometer (EMD).A prototype with a sensitive volume of 180mm×192mm has been built. Signals from SiPMs are processed by the self-design Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The performances of this detector prototype are as follows: neutron detection efficiency could reach 50.5% at 1 A, position resolution of 3, the dark count rate 200KHz. Such detector prototype could be an elementary unit for applications in the EMD detector arrays.