Timing characterization of the NArCoS apparatus

Simultaneous detection of neutrons and charged particles is essential in nuclear physics experiments involving stable and radioactive ion beams, particularly in studies of neutron-rich systems. The NArCoS (Neutron Array for Correlation Studies) apparatus, currently under development at INFN (LNS, CT, MI) within the framework of PRIN 2020 ANCHISE project, is designed to meet this experimental challenge. The system consists of an array of EJ-276G plastic scintillator cells (3 × 3 × 3 cm3), each one optically coupled to a cluster of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). The NArCoS detection modules operate as proton-recoil plastic scintillators. For a given neutron energy, the recoil proton energy spectrum ranges from experimental threshold to the incident neutron energy, as a function of the scattering angle. Consequently, an accurate neutron energy determination could be performed by using the time-of-flight measurements, making high-timing resolution a key requirement. This contribution reports on a detailed characterization of timing performances, carried out using cosmic rays and radioactive sources.