Neutron detection by Gd-loaded garnet ceramic scintillators

Ceramic samples of (Gd,Y)3(Ga,Al)5O12:Ce compounds were obtained by air sintering of uniaxially pressed powders, synthesized using a coprecipitation approach. The resulting material contained several percent of pores and was light scattering but translucent, with estimated light yield of 4.5 ph/keV under γ-ray excitation. The ceramic samples demonstrated the ability to detect neutrons from an Am–Be source – more than 70% of the signal was estimated to be caused by neutrons of energies exceeding 1 eV. •Translucent Gd-loaded garnet ceramic samples were obtained by air sintering.•Estimated light yield was 4.5 ph/keV under γ-ray excitation.•Neutron signal from an Am–Be source was detected.•More than 70% of the signal was assigned to neutrons with energies exceeding 1 eV.