Pages: 198-202

Authors: Lucie Fiserova, Jiri Janda, and Daniel Sas

Abstract

The work deals with the detection of thermal neutrons using a conversion layer of LiF on YAP:Ce and YAG:Ce scintillation crystals of various sizes. Enriched LiF (95 at. % ⁶Li) in the form of a mixture with 5 % polyvinyl alcohol was deposited on the crystal face by spraying it in a thin layer. The ²⁵²Cf isotope with paraffin moderation and lead shielding was used as a neutron source. The detection is based on the nuclear reaction of ⁶Li with the neutron. The conversion leads to emitting an alpha particle and triton according to the scheme ⁶Li (n, α)³H + 4.5 MeV which are detected by the scintillation crystal. Due to gamma ray interaction, the optimum thickness of the crystal was estimated to 70 µm.

Key words: YAP:Ce, YAG:Ce, conversion layer, indirect thermal neutron detection

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