A method to measure prompt fission neutron spectrum using gamma multiplicity tagging

In order to improve on current prompt fission neutron spectrum measurements, a gamma multiplicity tagging method was developed at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Gearttner Linear Accelerator Center. This method involves using a coincidence requirement on an array of BaF₂ gamma detectors to determine the timing of a fission event. This allows for much larger fission samples to be used due to the higher penetrability of gammas compared to fission fragments. Additionally, since the method relies on gammas as opposed to fission fragments, the effects of the low level discriminator, used in fission chambers to eliminate alpha events, are not seen. A ²⁵²Cf fission chamber was constructed in order to determine the viability of this method as well as the efficiency when compared to a fission chamber. The implemented multiple gamma tagging method was found to accurately reproduce the prompt fission neutron spectrum for the spontaneous fission of ²⁵²Cf and to detect 30% of fission events. - Highlights: • A method measuring prompt fission neutron spectrum using gamma rays was proposed. • The method tags fission as reliably as a fission chamber and with better timing. • The gamma tag method shows good agreement with existing ²⁵²Cf data and models. • This eliminates the need of a fission chamber and allows larger samples to be measured.