Growth and radioluminescence of metal elements doped LiCaAlF6 single crystals for neutron scintillator

The ns²-type metal elements (Pb and Sn) doped LiCaAlF₆ single crystals were grown by a micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. Pb doped LiCaAlF₆ [Pb:LiCAF] crystals showed high transparency and single phase of the LiCAF structure. However, we could not obtain Sn:LiCAF crystals due to the evaporation of SnF₂ during the crystal growth. There was an absorption peak around 193 nm in the transmittance spectrum of Pb:LiCAF crystal. In the radioluminescence spectrum of the Pb:LiCAF crystal under X-ray irradiation, two emission peaks around 200 and 830 nm were observed.     

Response of converter semiconductor detectors on neutron radiation

Active detectors based on Si semiconductors are being developed for individual radiation protection purposes in mixed neutron and photon fields. These devices are constructed as combined converter semiconductor detectors. Incident neutrons interact with the converter or detector nuclei and produce charged particles that can deposit energy in the semiconductor and cause a signal. The aim of this work is the determination of the response of such detectors to incident neutrons by experiment and by computation. The computer model consists of the neutron interaction simulation and the calculation of the ion transport. An analysis of measured and computed pulse height distributions for 5 MeV incident neutrons is presented as well as a comparison.     

HL-2A中子相机屏蔽系统模拟

利用蒙特卡罗模拟程序,建立了HL-2A中子相机蒙特卡罗粒子输运(MCNP)物理模型,对D-D聚变中子和γ射线的屏蔽进行了模拟计算。对石蜡碳酸锂混合物、聚乙烯、铅和316L不锈钢4种常用中子慢化吸,收剂组成的屏蔽层材料的屏蔽效果进行了对比。计算结果表明,石蜡碳酸锂混合物和铅组合是中子相机的最佳屏蔽层材料,其中石蜡碳酸锂混合物用于慢化吸收中子,铅用于屏蔽中子和γ射线。此外,利用MCNP模拟计算得到了屏蔽中子和γ射线所需的屏蔽厚度,以及准直管的中子散射率。     

Electron paramagnetic resonance study of exchange coupled Ce3+ ions in Lu2SiO5 single crystal scintillator

The Ce³⁺ ions incorporation inside lutetium oxyorthosilicate (Lu₂SiO₅) single crystals was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance. Already known Ce1 and Ce2 centers originating from the lattice peculiarity allowing two lutetium sites coordinated by different number of the oxygen ions were detected. Remarkably, for the Ce2 center, the determined g² tensor is asymmetric and could not be diagonalized as compared to the Ce1 center, for which the three principal values and corresponding axes orientation have been determined and reported previously. Besides, the much weaker resonance lines found in spectra close to those coming from the Ce1 and Ce2, and following them under crystal rotation with respect to the direction of an external magnetic field, have been revealed as well. They were classified as doublets produced by the exchange coupled Ce³⁺ ions, creating the Ce1–Ce1, Ce2–Ce2 and Ce1–Ce2-like dimers. The corresponding spin–spin coupling constants were estimated. They are in the range 0.04–0.4 cm⁻¹. The Ce1, Ce2 and total dimer centers populations were calculated as 89%, 4.5% and 6.5%, comparing integral intensities of corresponding resonance lines.     

Scintillation properties of Cs2LiGdCl6: Ce3+

In this communication, we investigated the scintillation properties of Cs₂LiGdCl₆:10% Ce³⁺ single crystal. This scintillation crystal is grown by using the vertical Bridgman technique. X-rays induced emission spectra show that, Cs₂LiGdCl₆:10% Ce³⁺ emits into the Ce³⁺ band, spanning from 365 nm to 450 nm wavelengths. Under γ-ray excitation, the sample crystal shows three main decay time components of 129 ns (51%), 573 ns (32%) and 8.9 μs (17%). It offers an energy resolution of 5.0% (FWHM) for the 662 keV full absorption peak at room temperature. We measured an absolute light yield of 20,000 photons/MeV of absorbed γ-ray energy. We found that with a little exposure to the air, the scintillation properties of the Cs₂LiGdCl₆:10% Ce³⁺ crystal deteriorate, which is attributed to the highly hygroscopic nature of this material. We believe that the Cs₂LiGdCl₆:10% Ce³⁺ crystal can be a promising material for medical imaging and radiation detection. Moreover due to the presence of Li and Gd constituents, this scintillation crystal can also be the possible candidate for thermal neutron detection.     

Plastic scintillator for pulse shape neutrons and gamma quanta discrimination

This study describes a new plastic scintillator for pulse shape n-γ discrimination. The scintillator contains two activation centers with different life spans. The first activator collects the singlet excitation energy of a polymer base, and the second activator utilizes triplet excitation states. We utilized 1,4-dimethyl-9,10-diphenylanthracene (DMDPA) and tris(dibenzoylmethide) (1,10-phenanthroline)Europium(III) (Eu[DBM]₃Phen) as activators. The figure of merit for this scintillator is 1.37, which is sufficient for reliable n-γ discrimination.     

Testing of a scintillator and fibre optic based radiation sensor

We describe the optimisation of RadLine^®; a small, real time, remotely operated radiation detector, which consists of an inorganic scintillation crystal coupled to a fibre optic cable transporting produced photons to a CCD camera some distance away. RadLine^® is tested in a beta and gamma narrow radiation field of 2.4 GBq, from a Caesium-137 (662 KeV) source, at doses rates between 0.125 mSvhr⁻¹ and 10 mSvhr⁻¹. Our results establish that the lower limit of the device corresponds to a dose rate of 0.2 mSvhr⁻¹, constrained by the signal to noise ratio of the instrument. We also demonstrate the process of characterising the RadLine^® for utilisation underwater due to its partial electrical inactiveness; and to consider how the instrument might perform in aquatic environments and ultimately in a First Generation Magnox Storage Ponds (FGMSP). The RadLine^® brings a marked difference to actual underwater radiation monitoring devices such as; HPGe, CZT and GM detectors, which not only incorporate the whole electronics within and are more bulky, only perform over a short range. The RadLine^®’s design offers signification value for intermediate (>100 m) and long range detection.     

The role of different linear and non-linear channels of relaxation in scintillator non-proportionality

The non-proportional dependence of a scintillator's light yield on primary particle energy is believed to be influenced crucially by the interplay of non-linear kinetic terms in the radiative and non-radiative decay of excitations versus locally deposited excitation density. A calculation of energy deposition, −dE/dx, along the electron track for NaI is presented for an energy range from several electron-volt to 1 MeV. Such results can be used to specify an initial excitation distribution, if diffusion is neglected. An exactly solvable two-channel (exciton and hole(electron)) model containing 1st and 2nd order kinetic terms is constructed and used to illustrate important features seen in non-proportional light-yield curves, including a dependence on pulse shaping (detection gate width).     

Operational and dosimetric characteristics of etched-track neutron detectors in routine neutron radiation protection dosimetry

There are a number of etched-track neutron dosimetry systems in routine use for personal monitoring. In this paper, the operational and dosimetric characteristics of these systems are summarized. Brief details are given of the dosemeter design, the material used, its quality control procedures, background, processing and read methods, neutron energy range, energy and angle dependence of response, decision threshold, linearity, signal storage stability, calibration methods including normalization, effect of influence quantities, and the advantages and disadvantages of the systems in routine application.     

超快中子探测器闪烁体性能计算

超快中子探测器是ICF聚变反应速率测量系统的核心部件。利用蒙特卡罗粒子输运工具包Geant4模拟了一种超快中子探测器——BC-422型闪烁探测器的中子探测过程,计算出了几种厚度的BC-422型闪烁体的探测效率、输出光信号强度和时间分辨力;对比了闪烁体的2种不同反射表面对输出光信号强度和时间分辨力的影响。计算的结果显示：设计适当的BC 422型闪烁探测器能够测量的最低中子产额在108量级,对DT中子的信号时间分辨力好于20 ps,对DD中子的信号时间分辨力达到30 ps,能够用于大型激光装置及其原型的聚变反应速率测量。     

Preliminary TL Studies of K2GdF5:Dy3+ exposed to photon and neutron radiation fields

Results of the investigation concerning thermoluminescence (TL) responses to X, gamma and neutron radiation fields for crystals of complex fluoride K₂GdF₅ undoped and doped with varying concentrations of Dy³⁺ ions are presented. Crystals doped with 5.0 at% Dy³⁺ have shown the most efficient TL response, with a linear response to doses for all the radiation fields. In the X rays range, the maximum TL response has been found to be 15 times more than the response for gamma. The fast and thermal neutron TL outputs were evaluated for K₂Gd_0.95Y_0.05F₅ and the contribution of the gamma component in the TL curve was estimated.     

Luminescence and Scintillation Characterization of Cs2NaGdBr6: Ce3+ Single Crystal

Luminescence and scintillation properties of newly discovered bromo-elpasolites Cs₂NaGdBr₆: Ce³⁺ (CNGB: Ce³⁺) are presented. Single crystals of CNGB: Ce³⁺ with dimensions up to Ø7×10 mm³ are successfully grown by the Bridgman technique. X-ray excited luminescence measurements of the grown samples showed a broad emission band in the wavelength range from 365 to 470 nm. It offered an energy resolution of 5.1% (FWHM) at 662 keV for 10% Ce sample. The light output of the investigated samples increases along with cerium concentration. A maximum light yield of ～36,800 ph/MeV is measured for the 10% Ce sample crystal. Under γ-ray excitation, CNGB: Ce³⁺ crystals showed three exponential decay time components. The scintillation mechanism in the sample crystal is presented.     

Theoretical investigations on the high light yield of the LuI3:Ce scintillator

The extremely high scintillation efficiency of lutetium iodide doped by cerium is explained as a result of at least three factors controlling the energy transfer from the host matrix to activator. We propose and theoretically validate the possibility of a new channel of energy transfer to excitons and directly to cerium, namely the Auger process when Lu 4f hole relaxes to the valence band hole with simultaneous creation of additional exciton or excitation of cerium. This process should be efficient in LuI₃, and inefficient in LuCl₃. To justify this channel, we perform calculations of density of states using a periodic plane-wave density functional approach. The second factor is the increase of the efficiency of valence hole capture by cerium in the row LuCl₃-LuBr₃-LuI₃. The third one is the increase of the efficiency of energy transfer from self-trapped excitons to cerium ions in the same row. The latter two factors are verified by cluster ab initio calculations. We estimate either the relaxation of these excitations and barriers for the diffusion of self-trapped holes (STH) and self-trapped exciton (STE). The performed estimations theoretically justify the high LuI₃:Ce³⁺ scintillator yield.     

Thermally stimulated luminescence properties of BaY 2 F 8 :Ce Crystals

Wavelength resolved thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) measurements were performed on BaY 2 F 8 :1.8 v mol% Ce crystals after X-ray irradiation at 10 v K and at 300 v K, in order to obtain preliminary information about both trap levels and recombination centres. After irradiation at 10 v K, the TSL glow curve shows the presence of a strong peak at 50 v K, together with additional structures at approximately 20 and 170 v K. The TSL spectrum is dominated by the characteristic doublet emission due to transitions from the lowest energy level of the 5d configuration to the spin-orbit split 2 F ground state of Ce 3+ . Above RT, the glow curve exhibits a peak at 60 v C, whose spectrum is again dominated by Ce 3+ emission. The TSL emission is in accordance with radio-luminescence (RL) spectra performed in the 10-300 v K region. Moreover, RL spectra at temperatures lower than 200 v K display an additional weak high energy band at around 4.5 v eV assigned to host lattice transitions.     

Number of elastic scatterings on free stationary nuclei to slow down a neutron

We report the formulation of the number of elastic scatterings required to slow down a neutron. By establishing its analytical expression, we show that this number displays a discontinuity and an oscillatory transient that progressively dampens when the neutron energy decreases. This result does not apply to neutrons with energies lower than a few eV, as we restrict our study to scatterings on free stationary nuclei.     

Use of the EUR LiB 15/5 data set for radiation shielding calculations in iron

Abstract

The shielding effect of an iron sphere assembly has been tested for a Pu-α-Be neutron source placed in the center of the shield assembly. Emergent neutron and gamma spectra were measured with a stilbene scintillation counter. Discrimination between neutrons and gammas was achieved by the pulse shape discrimination technique based on the zero crossing method. Calculations have been made using the one-dimensional transport code ANISN-Westinghouse version (ANISN-W) and the EUR LiB 15/5 cross section data set. The agreement between measurements and calculations indicates that the cross section set and the calculation model are suitable for studying the iron shielding experiments over the neutron energy range 1.35–10 MeV and the gamma energy range 0.3–6 MeV. Total macroscopic cross sections for fast neutrons, linear attenuation coefficients for gamma rays and half-value thicknesses for neutrons and gammas for the whole energy range and at different energies have been obtained.     

Measurements of neutron radiation and induced radioactivity for the new medical linear accelerator,the Varian TrueBeam

Contemporary linear accelerators applied in radiotherapy generate X-ray and electron beams with energies up to 20 MeV. Such high-energy therapeutic beams induce undesirable photonuclear (γ,n) and electronuclear (e,e'n) reactions in which neutrons and radioisotopes are produced. The originated neutron can also induce reactions such as simple capture, (n,γ), reactions that produce radioisotopes. In this work measurements of the non-therapeutic neutrons and the induced gamma radiation were carried out in the vicinity of a new medical accelerator, namely the Varian TrueBeam. The TrueBeam is a new generation Varian medical linac making it possible to generate the X-ray beams with a dose rate higher than in the case of the previous models by Varian. This work was performed for the X-ray beams with nominal potentials of 10 MV (flattening filter free), 15 MV and 20 MV, and for a 22 MeV electron beam. The neutron measurements were performed by means of a helium chamber and the induced activity method. The identification of radioisotopes produced during emission of the therapeutic beams was based on measurements of the energy spectra of gammas emitted in decays of the produced nuclei. The gamma energy spectra were measured with the use of the high-purity germanium detector. The correlation between the neutron field and the mode and nominal potential was observed. The strongest neutron fluence of 3.1 × 10⁶ cm⁻² Gy⁻¹ and 2.0 × 10⁶ cm⁻² Gy⁻¹ for the thermal and resonance energies, respectively, was measured during emission of the 20 MV X-ray beam. The thermal and resonance neutron fluence measured for the 15 MV X-rays was somewhat less, at 1.1 × 10⁶ cm⁻² Gy⁻¹ for thermal neutrons and 6.7 × 10⁵ cm⁻² Gy⁻¹ for resonance neutrons. The thermal and resonance neutron fluences were smallest for the 10 MV FFF beam and the 22 MeV electron beam and were around two orders of magnitude smaller than those of the 20 MV X-ray beam. This work has shown that the neutron reactions are dominant because of relatively high cross sections for many elements used in the accelerator construction. The detailed analysis of the measured spectra made it possible to identify 11 radioisotopes induced during TrueBeam delivery. In this work the following radioisotopes were identified: ⁵⁶Mn, ¹²²Sb, ¹²⁴Sb, ¹³¹Ba, ⁸²Br, ⁵⁷Ni, ⁵⁷Co, ⁵¹Cr, ¹⁸⁷W, ²⁴Na and ³⁸Cl.     

Laser-excited spectra of Lu2SiO5:Ce scintillator

The emission spectra of Lu₂SiO₅:Ce single crystal under the excitation of 266 nm laser were investigated. The emission spectra of LSO single crystal show no temperature quenching from 20 to 300 K, under the excitation of 266 nm laser with 2 mJ pulse energy. With rising temperature, the Ce1 emission is slightly decreased, while the Ce2 emission is slightly increased. These results show the emissions of Ce1 and Ce2 is not only dependent on the concentration ratio but also influenced by the possible energy transfer processes, including Ce1 to Ce2, intrinsic STHs to Ce2 and the phonon-assisted transfer processes. The spectral thermal broadening and the spectral overlap become evident at high temperature, leading to the enhancement of energy transfer. When the excitation power lowers, the ratio of Ce1 and Ce2 emission increases, and is close to the Xe lamp ultraviolet (UV) excitation, suggesting that the energy transfer from Ce1 center to Ce2 center may be also dependent on the excitation power.     

A new interpretation of the CO state in half-doped manganites: new results from neutron diffraction and synchrotron radiation experiments

In the R_1−xD_xMnO₃ (x0.5) manganites, the structural phase transition at T_CO is commonly interpreted as a concomitant charge and orbital ordering (CO/OO) process driven by a co-operative Jahn–Teller effect and Coulomb repulsion forces. The low-temperature phase is supposed to contain well-separated and ordered Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ionic species in an NaCl-like pattern. Structure refinement, from a neutron diffraction experiment below T_CO on a Pr_0.6Ca_0.4MnO₃ single crystal, gives us a model for the displacement of atoms with respect to the high-temperature phase that invalidates the standard model based in the CO/OO picture. Our result is a non-centrosymmetric crystal structure with two non-equivalent MnO₆ octahedra, both being slightly elongated but displaying very similar average Mn–O distances (1.96 and 1.95 Å, respectively) and having off-centered Mn atoms. We argue that this is a proof of the absence of charge ordering in half-doped manganites in the sense of formation of separated Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ ionic species. A new qualitative interpretation of the CE-type spin ordering (SO) is proposed. The so-called CO transition is, in fact, a structural transition induced by the change in the mean free path of electrons that continue to be thermally activated below T_CO by forming ferromagnetic Mn–Mn pairs stabilized by a local double-exchange process. The CE SO pattern results from the ordering of these pairs formed at T_CO. High-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction shows a complex anisotropic/asymmetric strains appearing at the transition that can be phenomenologically fitted by additional phases. Complementary electron diffraction and microscopy have shown no trace of macroscopic phase separation.