Scintillating bolometers for fast neutron spectroscopy in rare events searches

Scintillating bolometers for fast neutron spectroscopy in rare events searches. Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2012, Vol. 375

Neutrons are a relevant background in rare events physics. Detectors based
on fast neutron-induced nuclear reactions are commonly used for fast neutron spectroscopy.
In this subject, scintillating bolometers provide an excellent energy resolution and particle
discrimination by the simultaneous measurement of the heat and emitted light. Our group
has constructed several 6Li and 10B based massive scintillating bolometers (LiF, Li6Eu(BO3)3,
Li6Gd(BO3)3), with energy resolutions ranging from 16 to 200 keV. First results of a 32 gr 6LiF
scintillating bolometer enriched at 95% in 6Li operated at 20 mK are presented. The use of
this material in a multi-target cryogenic dark matter experiment, like EURECA, would allow
monitoring the incident neutron
ux in the detector during the data-taking.