Comparison of neutron capture spectra taken by a constellation Xe-110 detector and a 1''X1'' NaI(Tl) crystal

Constellation Technology Corporation has developed a spectroscopic nuclear detector called the Xe-110 that is well suited for downhole use in oil and gas well logging. The advantages possessed by this detector over traditional technologies such as NaI(Tl) scintillators are summarized. We discuss an analysis of gamma-ray spectra taken by the Xe-110, which suggests that the superior energy resolution and low background level of this detector enables identification of important features in neutron activation spectra of hydrocarbons that might not be identifiable using an NaI(Tl) crystal.