Study of neutron detection technologies using ⁶Li as a replacement of ³He

Within the past decade a significant shortage of ³He and correspondingly an enormous increase in cost has occurred. ³He is widely used in neutron detection applications, e.g. by first responders, during on-site inspections, and in other applications where nuclear and radioactive material has to be detected, localized and possibly identified. Therefore replacement materials need to be considered, selected, implemented in a corresponding detector, and thoroughly tested. One of these promising basic elements is ⁶Li which is utilized in detector applications such as the scintillation materials CLYC (Cs₂LiYCl₆:Ce), and CLLB (Cs₂LiLaBr₆:Ce). These two detector types even offer the possibility of simultaneously measuring neutrons and gamma radiation with good discrimination capability. Within the detection materials neutrons are captured by ⁶Li, triggering the nuclear reaction ⁶Li(n,α)³He. The secondary particles then create light pulses in the scintillation crystal which ultimately serve as detection signals. The neutron and gamma radiation result in different pulse shapes which allow the discrimination. We performed test measurements with both scintillation materials; the results gain information for further use as material in measurement systems in the field of nuclear safety and security.