The CLYC-7 scintillator as a fast neutron spectrometer: Pulse-shape discrimination for different neutron-induced reaction channels

The CLYC-7 scintillators (Cs2LiYCl6) are being studied for their capability to detect and discriminate both 7-ray radiation and neutrons in a wide energy range. Different Pulse-Shape Analysis (PSA) techniques were developed to perform this distinction, with excellent results. An intrinsic problem resides in the neutron detection mechanism, which occurs mainly via two nuclear reactions on the chlorine nucleus: Cl-35(n,p)S-35 and Cl-35(n,a)P-32. In the latter, the neutron energy reconstruction turns out to be more difficult, due to the large variety of excited states (and therefore reaction Q values) of P-32. A particular PSA algorithm was investigated to perform this a background rejection, with interesting results in different energy ranges.

Automated summary

The capability of CLYC-7 scintillators to detect and distinguish γ-ray radiation and neutrons in a wide energy range has been studied. Different Pulse-Shape Analysis techniques were used to achieve this distinction with excellent results. A particular PSA algorithm was investigated to perform background rejection for neutron detection, resulting in interesting outcomes at different energy ranges.