Experimental measurements with a LiF(W) scintillator

We have constructed a scintillation detector using LiF(W) and studied its response to neutron and gamma sources. We could not detect any signals from low energy photons because its scintillation efficiency is only 6–7% of the efficiency of NaI(Tl). We did observe the Compton edges due to 137Cs and 40K sources. We also observed thermal neutrons by the reaction 6Li(n, α)3H. The thermal neutron peak had a resolution (FWHM) of ≈17%. Finally, we observed events due to the cosmic ray muon flux in our laboratory.