New information on the characteristics of 1 in.x1 in. cerium bromide scintillation detectors

In view of highly demanded new and accurate data on prompt γ-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-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.x1 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.