Tl2LiYCl6: Large Diameter, High Performing Dual Mode Scintillator

Tl2LiYCl6:Ce (TLYC) is a recently discovered dual mode gamma-ray and neutron scintillator. So far small crystals of this composition have been studied, but for practical applications with affordable price, large-scale crystals are required. In this work, we present successful efforts to grow crack-free single crystals with sizes up to ⌀1″ × 5.5″. A variety of experimental techniques were employed to investigate the scintillation properties. A ⌀1″ × 1.2″ TLYC cylinder has a light yield of 25,000 ph/MeV, and its energy resolution is better than 4% at 662 keV. The gamma equivalent energy (GEE) produced by thermal neutron is 1.89 MeVee, along with a neutron induced light yield of 47,000 ph/n. Pulse shape discrimination (PSD) between gamma-rays and neutrons has been successfully shown with a current Figure-of-Merit (FOM) of 2.4. This article explores the crystal growth, scintillation properties, and potential applications of TLYC.