Performances and potentialities of a LaCl3:Ce scintillator

The performances and the potentialities of applications of a LaCl3:Ce scintillator have been investigated deep underground in the Gran Sasso Laboratory of the I.N:F.N. In particular, the light response, the alpha/beta ratio, the alpha/beta discrimination capability and the radioactive contaminations have been studied. The results of an experimental search for spontaneous cluster decay in La isotopes are also presented. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.