Tests of a solution-grown stilbene scintillator in mono-energetic neutron beams of 565 keV and 5 MeV

The results of measurements performed with a solution-grown stilbene scintillator placed in reference mono-energetic neutron fields are presented. The ∅ 25 mm organic scintillator was positioned in 5 MeV and 565 keV neutron fields delivered by the AIFIRA facility at CENBG. The goal of the experiment was to assess the performance of the solution-grown stilbene crystal (n-γ discrimination, response, anisotropy, sensitivity) relative to that of a BC501A liquid scintillator of larger size. Neutron pulse height spectra after gamma discrimination are compared. The results show that the stilbene crystal not only has a better discrimination capability than the BC501A (35% higher FoM) at 5 MeV, but is also able to separate neutrons from gamma-rays at 565 keV and below, a range where the BC501A is inoperative. This study also confirms the anisotropy of the crystal response, as already observed by other groups at different energies.