Behaviour of CeF3 scintillator in an LHC-like environment

The neutron radiation resistance of a sample of cerium fluoride has been investigated with the reactor ULYSSE. The fast, thermal and epithermal neutron fluxes and the gamma dose rate at the irradiation position have been determined. The overall irradiation conditions are analogous to the condition foreseen in the future electromagnetic calorimeters for high energy physics. The effect of neutron radiation on the transmission and photoluminescence properties has been studied up to a fast neutron fluence of 1014 neutrons/cm2. The respective damage effect of gamma rays, thermal neutrons and fast neutrons is discussed, as well as the induced radioactivity observed. ((orig.))