Synthesis and Structure of Li₆Y(BO₃)₃ as a Neutron Scintillator

Single phase polycrystalline Li₆Y(BO₃)₃:Ce has been produced with substitutions of Ca, Sc, La, Sr, Gd, and Lu substituting for Y. Samples included isotopes of 6-Li and 11-B through isotopically enriched Li₂CO₃ and H₃BO₃. X-ray powder diffraction was used to verify the phase(s) present, while Rietveld refinements provided lattice parameters. Photoluminescence data were collected to verify Ce activation and proper location within the crystal structure. The amount of Ce and Ca were then varied to survey the best composition for scintillation properties within Li₆Y(BO₃)₃ based on results of pulse-height measurements. A single crystal of Li₆Y_0.8Ce_0.1(BO₃)₃ was then grown using the Czochralski method which produced a boule weighing 38g.