A BGO detector system for studies of neutron capture by radioactive nuclides

A 16-section BGO scintillation detector having a total volume of 8.54 ℓ and an associated 40 MHz flash-ADC-based data taking system were developed. This detector system is intended for measurements of neutron capture cross-sections of radioactive nuclei by the time-of-flight method. The detector response function and efficiency, gamma-ray and neutron energy resolution, and backgrounds were evaluated experimentally and by calculation. Neutron capture cross-section measurements with 10B, 197Au and 237Np samples were carried out in the energy range of 1–1000 eV to demonstrate the performance of the system.