Fabrication and Characterization of K[sub.2]CeCl[sub.5]/[sup.6]LiCl and CeCl[sub.3]/SrCl[sub.2]/[sup.6]LiCl Eutectics for Thermal Neutron Detection

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] CeCl[sub.5] /[sup.6] LiCl and CeCl[sub.3] /SrCl[sub.2] /[sup.6] LiCl were developed as novel eutectic scintillators for thermal neutron detection. LiCl was selected as the neutron capture phase and K[sub.2] CeCl[sub.5] and CeCl[sub.3] were used as the scintillator phases. The eutectics of K[sub.2] CeCl[sub.5] /[sup.6] LiCl and CeCl[sub.3] /SrCl[sub.2] /[sup.6] 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+] . The cathodoluminescence spectra and thermal neutron responses of the prepared eutectics were measured to evaluate their optical properties.