Progress in experimental setup and reconstruction algorithms in RIPTIDE

Abstract Tracking imaging systems have evolved from manual analysis to advanced photodetectors, such as SiPM arrays and CMOS cameras, enabling the conversion of scintillation light into digital data for precise physical measurements. This study presents RIPTIDE, a recoil-proton track imaging system for fast neutron detection. The system employs a plastic scintillator where fast neutrons scatter elastically with protons, producing scintillation light. The generated signal is then captured by an optimized optical setup comprising a lens system, a Microchannel Plate (MCP), and a high-frame-rate CMOS sensor. Monte Carlo simulations have been conducted to explore the detector performance and to generate image datasets for testing reconstruction algorithms. These algorithms aim to infer neutron tracks by analyzing the direction and range of recoil protons. Additionally, a deep neural network is implemented to correct optical aberrations introduced by the lens system, enhancing the accuracy of proton range measurements. The experimental setup is currently under construction, and initial acquisitions have been performed to validate the Monte Carlo simulations. Results obtained in the laboratory on the detection of minimun ionizing particles will be presented.