Fabrication and Characterization of K2CeCl5/6LiCl and CeCl3/SrCl2/6LiCl Eutectics for Thermal Neutron Detection

Abstract

In recent years, thermal neutron detection using scintillators has been used in a wide range of fields. Thus, the development of scintillators with a higher light yield, faster decay, and higher sensitivity for thermal neutrons is required. In this study, K2CeCl5/6LiCl and CeCl3/SrCl2/6LiCl were developed as novel eutectic scintillators for thermal neutron detection. LiCl was selected as the neutron capture phase and K2CeCl5 and CeCl3 were used as the scintillator phases. The eutectics of K2CeCl5/6LiCl and CeCl3/SrCl2/6LiCl were prepared using the Vertical Bridgman method and the phases were identified by scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction measurements. The results of radioluminescence measurements under Ag source X-ray tube irradiation confirmed that the 5d-4f emission derived from Ce3+. The cathodoluminescence spectra and thermal neutron responses of the prepared eutectics were measured to evaluate their optical properties.

Fabrication and Properties for Thermal Neutron Detection of 6LiCl/Rb2CeCl5 Eutectic Scintillator

“…The decay time when irradiated by thermal neutrons was slower than that of the Rb2CeCl5 single crystal irradiated by X-ray (24 ns). This phenomenon of different decay times for eutectic crystals and single crystals in the scintillator phase was also observed in previous studies on K2CeCl5/LiCl [19]. This may be due to Li + substitution into the Rb + site of the Rb2CeCl5 phase, as in the K2CeCl5/LiCl, resulting in a different reaction to neutrons and X-rays, but the detailed mechanism is not known.…”

“…Tl:CsI/LiBr [17] and Ce:LaBr/LiBr [18] are examples of eutectic scintillators with satisfactory properties. CeCl 3 /LiCl/SrCl 2 [19] ternary eutectic crystals have been reported recently. In this study, we focused on eutectic scintillators, with Rb 2 CeCl 5 as the scintillator phase and LiCl as the neutron-capture phase.…”