A digital on-line implementation of a Pulse-Shape analysis algorithm for neutron-gamma discrimination in the NEDA detector

Abstract

The detection of rare events close to the proton dripline involve the utilization of high-efficient neutron detectors with excellent neutron-gamma discrimination (NGD) performance. Even though in the literature, several off-line algorithms focus on the maximization of the NGD accuracy, our aim is to look for an on-line efficient implementation capable to discard a majority of the gamma-rays, therefore allowing the system to work to counting rates up to 50 kHz, optimizing hence the overall electronics infrastructure in terms of data throughput. In this paper we analyze two of the most widespread techniques for NGD based on PSA, i.e. the charge-comparison method (CC) and the zero crossover (ZCO). Then, based on the NGD performance and FPGA resource utilization, we select one to be implemented in an FPGA. Finally we present the preliminary results obtained up to now.