Fabrication and Characterization of K<sub>2</sub>CeCl<sub>5</sub>/<sup>6</sup>LiCl and CeCl<sub>3</sub>/SrCl<sub>2</sub>/<sup>6</sup>LiCl Eutectics for Thermal Neutron Detection
oleh: Ryuga Yajima, Kei Kamada, Masao Yoshino, Yui Takizawa, Naoko Kutsuzawa, Rei Sasaki, Takahiko Horiai, Rikito Murakami, Kyoung Jin Kim, Vladimir V. Kochurikhin, Akihiro Yamaji, Shunsuke Kurosawa, Yuui Yokota, Hiroki Sato, Satoshi Toyoda, Yuji Ohashi, Takashi Hanada, Akira Yoshikawa
| Format: | Article |
|---|---|
| Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2022-12-01 |
Deskripsi
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, K<sub>2</sub>CeCl<sub>5</sub>/<sup>6</sup>LiCl and CeCl<sub>3</sub>/SrCl<sub>2</sub>/<sup>6</sup>LiCl were developed as novel eutectic scintillators for thermal neutron detection. LiCl was selected as the neutron capture phase and K<sub>2</sub>CeCl<sub>5</sub> and CeCl<sub>3</sub> were used as the scintillator phases. The eutectics of K<sub>2</sub>CeCl<sub>5</sub>/<sup>6</sup>LiCl and CeCl<sub>3</sub>/SrCl<sub>2</sub>/<sup>6</sup>LiCl 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 Ce<sup>3+</sup>. The cathodoluminescence spectra and thermal neutron responses of the prepared eutectics were measured to evaluate their optical properties.