New information on the characteristics of 1 in.×1 in. cerium bromide scintillation detectors

In view of highly demanded new and accurate data on prompt γ‐rayγ‐ray emission in nuclear fission a major part of investigations is directed towards the selection of suitable detector systems. Here we have studied a new type of crystal scintillation detectors made from cerium bromide (CeBr3). For the first time a full characterization of such a detector is presented in terms of energy resolution, pulse-height linearity, intrinsic activity and intrinsic timing resolution. In particular the latter one is very important for prompt fission γ‐rayγ‐ray studies, because the presence of fast neutrons, emitted in fission too, requires the time-of-flight method for their discrimination. The energy resolution has been found to be comparable to that of cerium-doped LaCl3:Ce detectors at an efficiency comparable to the one of a LaBr3:Ce detector of the same size. The intrinsic activity of the CeBr3 crystal was observed to be much lower compared to lanthanum halide crystals. The intrinsic timing resolution of a coaxial 1 in.×1 in. sized detector was measured relative to that of a previously characterized LaCl3:Ce detector and found to be (326±7) ps at 60Co energies, which is in between those of a LaBr3:Ce and a LaCl3:Ce detector of same size.