Transforming LaCl 3 and LaBr 3 scintillators into neutron spectrometers

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment 2026 Open access

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Authors: J. O’Neill, J. Heery, J. Henderson, N. Gadsby, G. Lorusso, M. Bunce, M.P. Taggart, G.L. Wilson, A.A. Alshammari, G. Bartram, C. Cousins, K. Garrett
+5 more C. O’Shea, E.B. O’Sullivan, S. Poulton, D. Thomas, R. Wu
DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2026.171522
Cited by: 1
References: 25

Abstract

We demonstrate the benefits of applying advanced waveform processing to commercially available scintillators to provide neutron sensitivity. Compared to integration pulse shape discrimination (PSD), this approach can improve the performance of detectors that would otherwise be unsuitable for neutron measurements. By passing the waveforms of LaCl 3 (Ce) and LaBr 3 (Ce) scintillators through a fast Fourier transform we observe an enhancement of up to 200% in the separation of the γ -ray, proton, and α -particle scintillation pulses by comparing the ratios of high- and low-frequency components of the waveforms. Using this method, we demonstrate that LaX 3 detectors can function as fast neutron spectrometers through the detection of protons and α -particles from neutron-induced reactions with an AmBe source and monoenergetic neutrons in the 1–15.2 MeV range.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies Luminescence Properties of Advanced Materials Neutrino Physics Research

Publication details

Journal / source
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
1088
Pages
171522–171522
Publication date
27 March 2026
Language
EN