Applications Of (Clyc)-L-7 Scintillators In Fast Neutron Spectroscopy

The capabilities of Li-7-enriched Cs-2 (LiYCl6)-Li-7 ((CLYC)-L-7) scintillation detectors for fast neutron spectroscopy are explored in benchmark experiments that exploit its excellent pulse-shape discrimination between neutrons and gamma rays, and its unprecedented approximate to 10% energy resolution for fast neutrons in the few MeV range, obtained through the Cl-35(n,p) reaction. Energy- and angle-resolved elastic and inelastic neutron scattering cross-section measurements of Fe-56(n,n') were performed at Los Alamos National Laboratory with a pulsed white neutron source and an array of 1'' x 1'' (CLYC)-L-7 crystals. The results convincingly establish the utility of this dual n/gamma scintillator for fast neutron spectroscopy. Intrinsic efficiency measurements of both 1'' x 1'' and the first ever 3'' x 3'' C7LYC crystal have been initiated, using mono-energetic fast neutron beams at UMass Lowell generated via the Li-7(p,n) reaction. The spectroscopic capabilities and potential of (CLYC)-L-7 are discussed in the context of developing this emerging scintillator for targeted science applications.