Timing properties of radioluminescence in nanoparticle ZnS:Ag scintillators

Abstract

As neutron scattering facilities improve, new neutron detectors with high rate capabilities that can cope with increasing flux are required. Most scintillation detectors at neutron scattering facilities employ ZnS:Ag mixed with 6LiF. These scintillation detectors are efficient, cost effective, and have good gamma rejection but are count-rate limited by the afterglow of ZnS:Ag. In this work nanoparticles of ZnS:Ag were synthesised and investigated to determine their potential for development into higher count-rate capability neutron detectors. Nanoparticles were shown to form micron sized agglomerates with redshifted luminescence compared to bulk ZnS:Ag. The luminescence decay to 1% of the maximum amplitude was demonstrated to be approximately 20 times faster than commercial bulk ZnS:Ag. A significant reduction in afterglow was observed in the nanoparticles. These initial results indicate promise for the use of nanoparticle ZnS:Ag scintillators in future high-rate capability neutron detectors.