Fast-neutron induced background in LaBr3:Ce detectors

J. Kiener; V. Tatischeff; I. Deloncle; N. de Séréville; P. Laurent; C. Blondel; M. Chabot; R. Chipaux; A. Coc; S. Dubos; A. Gostojic; N. Goutev; C. Hamadache; F. Hammache; B. Horeau; O. Limousin; S. Ouichaoui; G. Prévot; R. Rodríguez-Gasén; M. S. Yavahchova

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2015.07.022

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arXiv · 1512.00305

Fast-neutron induced background in LaBr3:Ce detectors

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Abstract

The response of a scintillation detector with a cylindrical 1.5-inch LaBr3:Ce crystal to incident neutrons has been measured in the energy range En = 2-12 MeV. Neutrons were produced by proton irradiation of a Li target at Ep = 5-14.6 MeV with pulsed proton beams. Using the time-of-flight information between target and detector, energy spectra of the LaBr3:Ce detector resulting from fast neutron interactions have been obtained at 4 different neutron energies. Neutron-induced gamma rays emitted by the LaBr3:Ce crystal were also measured in a nearby Ge detector at the lowest proton beam energy. In addition, we obtained data for neutron irradiation of a large-volume high-purity Ge detector and of a NE-213 liquid scintillator detector, both serving as monitor detectors in the experiment. Monte-Carlo type simulations for neutron interactions in the liquid scintillator, the Ge and LaBr3:Ce crystals have been performed and compared with measured data. Good agreement being obtained with the data, we present the results of simulations to predict the response of LaBr3:Ce detectors for a range of crystal sizes to neutron irradiation in the energy range En = 0.5-10 MeV

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J. Kiener, V. Tatischeff, I. Deloncle, N. de Séréville, P. Laurent, C. Blondel, M. Chabot, R. Chipaux, A. Coc, S. Dubos, A. Gostojic, N. Goutev, C. Hamadache, F. Hammache, B. Horeau, O. Limousin, S. Ouichaoui, G. Prévot, R. Rodríguez-Gasén, M. S. Yavahchova. 2015-12-01. Fast-neutron induced background in LaBr3:Ce detectors. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2015.07.022

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