Detection of minimum-ionizing particles and nuclear counter effect with pure BGO and BSO crystals with photodiode readout

Long BGO (Bi4Ge3O12) and BSO (Bi4Si3O12) crystals coupled with silicon photodiodes have been used to detect minimum-ionizing particles (MIP). With a low-noise amplifier customized for this purpose, the crystals can detect MIPs with an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. The nuclear counter effect is also clearly observed and measured. Effect of full and partial wrapping of a reflector around the crystal on light collection is also studied.