Tutorial: a beginner’s guide to fast neutron detection with a liquid organic scintillator

Neutron diagnostics is a key aspect of nuclear fusion research. However, the tools and methodologies that are available are complex, and thus, neutron diagnostic tools are often used by specialized communities. Here, we present an accessible framework for neutron counting. In this study, we provide a comprehensive description of how to detect and quantify fast neutrons using a single EJ-309 liquid organic scintillation detector. We generate the fast neutrons using a bespoke benchtop reactor that mediates deuterium-deuterium nuclear fusion. This tutorial lays out for the reader how to address technical challenges associated with detector configuration, calibration, characterization, and data processing in mixed neutron/gamma-ray fields. This work aims to accelerate fusion research by making neutron diagnostics accessible to broader scientific communities.