Simulations and developments of the Low Energy Neutron detector Array LENA

Prototypes of the Low Energy Neutron detector Array (LENA) have been tested and compared with detailed GEANT simulations. LENA will consist of plastic scintillation bars with the dimensions 1000×45×10 mm3. The tests have been performed with γ-ray sources and neutrons originating from the neutron-induced fission of 235U. The simulations agreed very well with the measured response and were therefore used to simulate the response to mono-energetic neutrons with different detection thresholds. LENA will be used to detect low-energy neutrons from (p,n)-type reactions with low momentum transfer foreseen at the R3B and EXL setups at FAIR, Darmstadt.