Achieving Efficient Fast Neutron and Gamma Discrimination in Hydrogen-Rich 2D Halide Perovskite Scintillators

Neutron radiation fields frequently coexist with γ-rays, posing a significant challenge to ensure the accuracy of neutron detection. 2D perovskites have been proved to be the potential fast neutron scintillators due to their structural properties and excellent luminescent performance. Herein, the study reports on the scintillation properties of 2D perovskite phenethylammonium lead bromide ((PEA)₂PbBr₄) single crystal (SC) induced by different types of radiation and first demonstrate its pulse shape discrimination (PSD) capability in neutron/gamma (n/γ) mixed radiation fields. The research has found that the decay time of (PEA)₂PbBr₄ SC to heavy charged particles (24.4 ns) is significantly faster than that to γ-rays (39.1 ns). This is because the ionization density of heavy charged particles is 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than that of electrons, resulting in a pronounced second-order quenching effect. The unique characteristic endows it with good discrimination capabilities for α-particles and γ-rays. Furthermore, the study has successfully demonstrated a good n/γ discrimination with a figure of merit (FOM) of 0.86 in Deuterium-Deuterium (D-D) fusion reaction. The research not only advances the application of perovskites in the field of neutron detection, but also provides a new alternative for the development of neutron detection technologies.