2D Perovskite Neutron Scintillators with Nanosecond Time Resolution and Linearity Energy Response

Fast and high-linearity detection of fast neutron is vital for special nuclear material seeking, nuclear accident emergency response, nondestructive neutron imaging, and neutron cancer therapy. Neutron scintillators with fast time resolution and linear energy response are indispensable for precisely acquiring the energy and temporal evolution of fast neutron, but none of the conventional neutron scintillators, whether organic, two-component or inorganic, have performed well in this regard. To address these challenges, it is urgent to develop novel neutron scintillators. Here, 2D hybrid perovskite single crystals (C₄H₁₂N)₂PbBr₄ (BA₂PbBr₄) successfully combined with fast response time of 2.66 ns and linear energy response to fast neutrons, γ ray, and α particle, is reported. The rapid response time and linear energy response of 2D hybrid perovskite scintillator originate from intensive states density of lead halide frameworks, which are the key fluorescence emitters under neutron irradiation. This effectively suppresses the ionization quenching effect during the fluorescence process. This work represents a milestone in fast neutron detection, demonstrating a new type of neutron scintillator based on 2D hybrid perovskite single crystals with fast and high-linearity detection characteristics, having great potential in high precision neutron spectrum measurement and nuclear reaction kinetics monitoring.