Characterization of a cubic EJ-309 liquid scintillator detector

• The paper reports the characterization of a cubic EJ-309 liquid scintillator detector.
• The light output and resolution functions for electron and proton are described.
• Experimental response function were obtained with gamma sources and neutron beams.
• Theoretical response functions were derived by Monte Carlo simulations.
• The neutron response function was validated by measurement with an AmBe source.

A cubic EJ-309 liquid scintillator of 10 cm width has been characterized for its response to γ-rays and neutrons. Response functions to γ-rays were measured with calibrated radionuclide γ-ray sources in the energy range from 400 keV to 6 MeV. Response functions for neutrons were obtained from measurements at the PTB Van de Graaff accelerator with quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams in the energy range from 500 keV to 2.7 MeV, and at the PTB cyclotron with time-of-flight (TOF) measurements in the energy range from 2.5 to 14 MeV. The light output and resolution functions for electrons and protons were derived by a least squares adjustment to experimental data using theoretical response functions determined with Monte Carlo simulations. The simulated response function for neutron was validated by results of measurements with an AmBe neutron source which was characterized for its total neutron intensity. The results indicate that the cubic EJ-309 detector is suitable for use in mixed γ-ray and neutron fields.