Glass scintillator with enriched Li-6 content of 96 %
Major uses - Thermal neutron detection

3 mm LiI(Eu) stops 90 % of thermal neutrons

Rugged crystal ( > 20 degrees C gradient / hour allowed)

Excellent neutron / Gamma discrimination (neutron peak > 3 MeV)

Neutron peak resolution < 7 % FWHM (PMT readout

 

Physical Properties:

Composition	-	SiO2, MgO, Al2O3, Ce2O3, 6-Li2O (18 %)
Li-6 content by weight	-	7.9 %
Density	-	2.5 - 2.7 g / cm3
Primary decay time	-	60 ns
Thermal Neutron peak loc	-	1.7 – 1.9 MeV
Photoelectron yield	-	30-35 % of NaI(tl)4 - 6 % relative to NaI(Tl) for Gamma rays

 

 

Neutron Detection

Neutrons do not produce ionization directly in scintillation crystals, but can be detected through their interaction with the nuclei of a suitable element. In a 6 LiI(Eu) scintillation crystal for example, neutrons interact with 6 Li nuclei to produce an alpha particle and a triton (tritium nucleus), which both produce scintillation light that can be detected. For this purpose, also enriched 6 Li containing glasses can be used, doped with Ce as activator.