Novel scintillation detectors for prompt fission gamma-ray measurements

In this work we present first results from measurements of prompt fission gamma-rays from the spontaneous fission in Cf-252. New and accurate data on corresponding gamma-rays from the reactions U-235(nth,f) and Pu-29(nth,f) are highly demanded for the modelling of new Generation-IV nuclear reactor systems. For these experiments we employed scintillation detectors made out of new materials (LaBr3, LaCl3 and CeBr3), whose properties were necessary to know in order to obtain reliable results. Hence, we have characterized these detectors. In all the important properties these detectors outshine sodium-iodine detectors that where used in the 1970s, when the existing data had been acquired. Our finding is that the new generation of scintillation detectors is indeed promising, as far as an improved precision of the demanded data is concerned.JRC.D.4-Standards for Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguard