Li2HfBr6 scintillator for neutron and gamma-ray dual detection

Abstract

Abstract Li2HfBr6 with host emission was grown as a gamma-ray- and neutron-sensitive scintillator. Decay time of Li2HfBr6 was estimated to be less than 5 μs, and single-photon counting is available to evaluate its light output. The emission wavelength under X-ray excitation was approximately 570 nm, which is a longer wavelength than that of commonly used neutron scintillators, e.g. Li-glass. The light output excited by thermal neutrons was estimated to be 52000 photons per thermal neutron, which is approximately eight to nine times higher than that of Li-glass. Additionally, neutrons and gamma rays were discriminated using the pulse-shaped discrimination technique for Li2HfBr6.