i-TED: A novel concept for high-sensitivity (n,γ) cross-section measurements

A new method for measuring (n,γ) cross-sections aiming at enhanced signal-to-background ratio is presented. This new approach is based on the combination of the pulse-height weighting technique with a total energy detection system that features γ-ray imaging capability (i-TED). The latter allows one to exploit Compton imaging techniques to discriminate between true capture γ-rays arising from the sample under study and background γ-rays coming from contaminant neutron (prompt or delayed) captures in the surrounding environment. A general proof-of-concept detection system for this application is presented in this paper together with a description of the imaging method and a conceptual demonstration based on Monte Carlo simulations.