Evaluation of a positron-emission-tomography-based SiPM readout for compact segmented neutron imagers

Gamma-ray emission from special nuclear material (SNM) is relatively easy to shield detection using modest amounts of high-Z material. In contrast, fast-neutrons are much more penetrating and can escape thick shielding without losing significant energy. Furthermore, fast neutrons provide a clear unambiguous signature the presence SNM with few competing natural background sources. The challenge detecting twofold. First, neutron flux only fraction corresponding gamma-ray flux. Second, be difficult differentiate gamma rays. ability discriminate rays neutrons, combined imaging capability, in some situations enable localization sources distinct background. With developments pulse-shape-sensitive plastic scintillators that offer excellent gamma-ray/neutron discrimination, arrays silicon photomultipliers highly scalable positron-emission-tomography (PET) multi-channel readout systems, field-deployable imagers suitable for might now within reach. this paper, we present characterization performance recently available commercial PET-scanner readout, including its sensitivity pulse-shape differences between rays, energy timing resolution. We find that, while discrimination achievable stilbene, further improvement required achieve it PSD-capable scintillators.