The W-PIE neutron spectrometer is a unique device designed for on-line neutron spectrometry measurements. The system features an extremely high counting efficiency, making it suitable to perform neutron spectrometry and absolute flux measurement for applications such as:
- homeland security
- cargo inspections
- calibration laboratories
- background suppression in high-energy physics experiments
- cosmic ray neutron sensing (CRNS) in agriculture
- snow water equivalent (SWE) measurements in hydrology
W-PIE employs 6Li as neutron converter, 4He as scintillating medium, and 24 independent low-voltage SiPMs as photosensitive components. The detector is surrounded by increasingly thick moderating assemblies, defining 4 detection sub-volumes each optimised for a specific spectral region. Signals are acquired and analysed by the built-in electronics and unfolding algorithm, or they can be saved as raw data for off-line analysis.
The response function of W-PIE, calculated via Monte Carlo simulations, is available for either on-line and off-line analysis. The response function and unfolding algorithm have been validated after thoroughly testing with reference radioactive sources, with quasi-monoenergetic neutron fields, and in the high-energy reference neutron field facility CERF at CERN.
The device is available in two configurations:
- W-PIE – standard, high-energy version, with Cd and Pb inserts, designed to be sensitive to neutrons up to 10 GeV
- HERMES W-PIE – lightweight and standalone low energy version, without high-Z inserts, designed to be sensitive to neutrons up to about 100 MeV
The W-PIE version is powered over Ethernet and communicates with a PC through Ethernet connection.
The HERMES W-PIE version is a standalone unit featuring a single board computer, a 4G router, a GPS and a dual-SIM system allowing remote control.
