Systems and methods for detecting neutrons. One or more neutron-sensitive
scintillators can be configured from a plurality of nano-sized particles, dopants
and an extruded plastic material, such as polystyrene. The nano-sized particles
can be compounded into the extruded plastic material with at least one dopant that
permits the plastic material to scintillate. One or more plastic light collectors
can be associated with a neutron-sensitive scintillator, such that the plastic
light collector includes a central hole thereof. A wavelength-shifting fiber can
then be located within the hole. The wavelength shifting (WLS) fiber absorbs scintillation
light having a wavelength thereof and re-emits the light at a longer wavelength.
