Linear energy transfer effects on time profiles of scintillation of Ce-doped LiCaAlF crystals

Yanagida, Takayuki*; Koshimizu, Masanori*; Kurashima, Satoshi; Iwamatsu, Kazuhiro*; Kimura, Atsushi; Taguchi, Mitsumasa; Fujimoto, Yutaka*; Asai, Keisuke*

We measured temporal profiles of scintillation of Ce-doped LiCaAlF scintillator crystals at different linear energy transfers (LETs). Based on the comparison of the high-LET temporal profiles with those at low LET, we found that a fast component was observed only at low LET. The disappearance of the fast component at high LET is tentatively ascribed to quenching of excited states at defects owing to the interaction between excited states via Auger process. In addition, the rise and the initial decay behavior was dependent on the LET. This LET-dependent behavior is explained by a seeming acceleration process and a slowing down process in energy transfer at high LET. The LET-dependent temporal profiles provide a basis of discrimination technique of -ray and neutron detection events using these scintillators based on the nuclear reaction, Li(n,)t.