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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Critical Review of Scintillating Crystals for Neutron Detection
AU - Cieslak, Michal
AU - Akurugoda Gamage, Kelum
AU - Glover, Robert
PY - 2019/9/13
Y1 - 2019/9/13
N2 - There exists an ongoing need to develop and improve methods of detecting radioactive materials. Since each radioactive isotope leaves a unique mark in a form of the particles it emits, new materials capable of detecting and measuring these particles are constantly sought. Neutrons and their detectors play a significant role in areas such as nuclear power generation, nuclear decommissioning and decontamination, border security, nuclear proliferation and nuclear medicine. Owing to the complexity of their detection, as well as scarcity of 3He, which has historically been the preferred choice for neutron detection in many application fields, new sensitive materials are sought. Organic and inorganic scintillating crystals have been recognised as particularly good alternatives and as such systems that utilise them are increasingly common. Since they allow investigation of the neutron energy spectra, greater information about the radioactive source can be inferred. Therefore, in this article an extensive review of scintillating crystals used for neutron detection is presented. By describing the history of scintillating crystals and discussing changes that occurred in their use and development of methods for radiation detection, the authors present a comprehensive overview of the current situation. Supported by a practical example, possible future directions of the research area are also presented.
AB - There exists an ongoing need to develop and improve methods of detecting radioactive materials. Since each radioactive isotope leaves a unique mark in a form of the particles it emits, new materials capable of detecting and measuring these particles are constantly sought. Neutrons and their detectors play a significant role in areas such as nuclear power generation, nuclear decommissioning and decontamination, border security, nuclear proliferation and nuclear medicine. Owing to the complexity of their detection, as well as scarcity of 3He, which has historically been the preferred choice for neutron detection in many application fields, new sensitive materials are sought. Organic and inorganic scintillating crystals have been recognised as particularly good alternatives and as such systems that utilise them are increasingly common. Since they allow investigation of the neutron energy spectra, greater information about the radioactive source can be inferred. Therefore, in this article an extensive review of scintillating crystals used for neutron detection is presented. By describing the history of scintillating crystals and discussing changes that occurred in their use and development of methods for radiation detection, the authors present a comprehensive overview of the current situation. Supported by a practical example, possible future directions of the research area are also presented.
KW - Scintillators
KW - Scintillating crystals
KW - Neutron detectors
KW - Gamma detectors
KW - 3He deficit
U2 - 10.3390/cryst9090480
DO - 10.3390/cryst9090480
M3 - Journal article
JO - Crystals
JF - Crystals
SN - 2073-4352
IS - 9
M1 - 480
ER -