Performance of LaBr3(Ce) scintillator with MAPD readout in the gamma-ray energy range of 0.1-7.0 MeV

Abstract

Purpose: The performance of a scintillation detector based on an MAPD-type SiPM and LaBr3(Ce) for detecting gamma rays over a wide energy range is investigated. Methods: This paper proposes the use of an MAPD-type SiPM with a pixel pitch of 15 μm, a total pixel number of 1,063,877 pixels and a PDE of 30% for the preparation of scintillation detectors operating in a wide energy range. The scintillation detectors prepared with this method can theoretically detect gamma rays with an energy of 25 MeV. Results: The performance of a LaBr3(Ce)-based scintillation detector with a 16-element MAPD array was characterized for gamma-ray spectroscopy in the 0.1–7 MeV range. The detector exhibited excellent linearity and high energy resolution, successfully resolving the 1.173 MeV, 1.332 MeV, and 1.460 MeV gamma lines with resolutions of 3.45%, 3.11%, and 1.99%, respectively. It also identified multiple gamma-ray peaks from thermal neutron capture reactions induced by an AmBe source, detecting emissions from hydrogen, sodium, chlorine, and carbon. Despite challenges related to scintillator size and low gamma-ray intensity, the detector effectively provided spectral information on various elements. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the potential of the LaBr3(Ce)-MAPD scintillation detector for high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy over a broad energy range. The detector's excellent linearity, high light output, and ability to resolve multiple gamma-ray peaks make it a promising candidate for applications in industry, space exploration, and security. Future improvements, such as increasing the LaBr3(Ce) scintillator size and investigating higher-density scintillators like BGO and LSO, could further enhance its performance, enabling even more precise and efficient gamma-ray detection.