Studies of a Poenitz-type black neutron detector as a neutron flux monitor

A black neutron detector of novel design has been constructed and tested as a neutron flux monitor. The neutron time-of-flight (TOF) technique was used to measure the zero degree neutron spectrum from a subnanosecond pulsed proton beam on a thick metallic lithium target. We describe the detector, discuss the shielding arrangement and electronics, determine the low-energy cut-off. We calculate the efficiency, show spectra and compare measured zero degree differential cross-section of the 7Li(p, n0)7Be reaction with recommended published cross-sections.