The Effects of Radiation Damage on CLYC Performance

TL;DR

This study investigates how high-energy proton radiation affects the performance of CLYC scintillators, crucial for space applications, by analyzing changes in their pulse characteristics and energy resolution post-irradiation.

Contribution

First comprehensive assessment of radiation damage effects on CLYC scintillators using proton irradiation and detailed performance measurements.

Findings

Radiation exposure reduces pulse-shape discrimination ability.

Energy resolution degrades after irradiation.

Activation products are identified and monitored.

Abstract

Cs$_2$LiYCl$_6$:Ce$^{3+}$ (CLYC) is a new scintillator that is an attractive option for applications requiring the ability to detect both gamma rays and neutrons within a single volume. It is therefore of interest in applications that require low size, weight, or power, such as space applications. The radiation environment in space can over time damage the crystal structure of CLYC, leading to reduced performance. We have exposed 2 CLYC samples to 800 MeV protons at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center, one to approximately 10 kRad and one to approximately 100 kRad. We measured the pulse shapes and amplitudes, energy resolution, and figure of merit for pulse-shape discrimination before and after irradiation. We have also measured the activation products and monitored for room-temperature annealing of the irradiated samples. The results of these measurements and the impact of radiation damage on CLYC performance is presented.