Conceptual design and simulations for the Detector Array for Energy Measurements Of Neutrons (DAEMON): Validation of optical physics simulations

The utilization of large-scale neutron detector arrays in future experiments is of vital importance to increase our understanding of beta-delayed neutron emitters. A new device, DAEMON (Detector Array for Energy Measurements Of Neutrons), is being designed for the GRIFFIN decay station at TRIUMF-ISAC. DAEMON will improve the precision on the measurement of the neutron kinetic energy through the use of thin plastic scintillators, SiPMs arrays, and the Time-of-Flight technique, to enhance the current capabilities to study neutron rich nuclei at TRIUMF. The performance and feasibility of the DAEMON array was investigated using the Geant4 package to simulate and optimize the experimental design. To test the optical parameters and models implemented in the Geant4 simulations, a comparison with experimental data from small plastic scintillators combined with SiPM detectors was performed. The simulations reproduce the experimental data very well, including features introduced by summing 2 x 2-SiPM arrays in software. This work lays the foundation for simulations of the full DAEMON array.