Proton induced activation of LaBr3: Ce and LaCl3 : Ce

In the framework of an assessment of lanthanum halide scintillators, such as LaBr3:Ce and LaCl3:Ce on their suitability for space based gamma-ray spectroscopy, proton induced activation of the materials has been studied. One inch scintillators were subjected to proton irradiations in the range of 60-184 MeV, where after the activation was measured. The activation was analyzed by identifying the decaying isotopes by means of gamma-ray spectroscopy and lifetime measurements using both a germanium detector and the activated scintillator itself. It was found that the dominant source of activation in the scintillators originates from the lighter elements in the materials: bromide and chloride, respectively. The activation of LaBr3:Ce manifest itself through gamma-decay, which partly leaves the volume. Activation of LaCl3:Ce originates mainly from beta decay, which is confined to the volume itself. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved