Thin GSO scintillator for neutron detection

Abstract The new scintillator cerium-doped gadolinium orthosilicate (GSO-Gd2SiO5:Ce) has a light output that is about 20% that of NaI(Tl). The enormous cross section of Gd for capture of thermal neutrons makes GSO a candidate for novel types of neutron detectors. The characteristic radiations from neutron capture in Gd can be stopped in about 75 μm of GSO. Data obtained from a GSO detector that was about 0.6-mm thick demonstrated that thermal neutrons could easily be detected and that higher energy gamma rays caused minimal interference.