Measurements of deuteron and proton response functions of deuterated-cyclohexane and cyclohexane scintillators

The deuteron and proton response functions of deuterated-cyclohexane (C₆D₁₂) and cyclohexane (C₆H₁₂) scintillators have been measured using a ²⁴¹Am-Be neutron source. The deuteron response function of the C₆D₁₂ scintillator was measured at seven energies over the range 2.201-4.164 MeV whereas the proton response function of the C₆H₁₂ scintillator was measured at nine energies over the range 3.093-5.307 MeV. Within the experimental uncertainties, the measured deuteron response function of the C₆D₁₂ scintillator agrees with the published data. The proton response function of the C₆D₁₂ scintillator, which was derived from deuteron and proton response function data of the C₆D₁₂ and C₆H₁₂ scintillators, is given by: E(p) = 0.017 + 0.881E(d) - 0.011E(d)² (E(p) and E(d) in MeV). The proton and deuteron light output ratio of the C₆D₁₂ scintillator at 0.1-6.5 MeV energies was found to be 0.53-0.51. The light output ratio is in good agreement with the published value of 0.5 for a typical deuterated scintillator.