Performances of a β-delayed neutron detection array at Peking University

A β-delayed neutron detection array composed of a neutron sphere and two neutron walls was constructed in the State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology at Peking University. Recently the performances of this detection array were largely improved and tested with a Co60 source, cosmic rays and C16 and N17 radioactive beams. The Tyvek 1056D paper and silicone grease were chosen for the reflection and coupling materials, respectively. For the neutron sphere with large detection solid angle (30% of 4π steradian), the intrinsic efficiency is about 14.1% at a neutron energy of 1 MeV and the detection threshold is about 350 keV; for the neutron walls with flexible setup, these values are 36.5% and 200 keV, respectively. The combined array of neutron sphere and neutron walls has successfully been applied to measure the β-delayed neutrons emitted from neutron-rich unstable nuclei.