6Li doped glass scintillators for ultra cold neutrons detection

We report the results of test measurements aimed at determining the performances of ⁶Li doped glass scintillators for the detection of ultra-cold neutrons. Three types of scintillators, GS1, GS10 and GS20, which differ by their ⁶Li concentrations, have been tested. The signal to background separation is fully acceptable. The relative detection efficiencies have been determined as a function of the neutron velocity. We find that GS10 has a higher efficiency than the others for the detection of neutrons with velocities below 6 m/s (i.e. energies smaller than 250 neV). Two pieces of scintillators have been irradiated with a high flux of cold neutrons to test the radiation hardness of the glasses. No reduction in the pulse height has been observed up to an absorbed dose of 10¹³ n/cm³.