CLYC Scintillator | Neutron & Gamma Detection Crystal
CLYC (Cs₂LiYCl₆:Ce) is a high-performance dual-mode scintillator capable of detecting both gamma rays and thermal neutrons within a single crystal. Thanks to its distinct scintillation decay components, CLYC enables effective pulse shape discrimination (PSD) between neutron and gamma events, making it widely used in radiation monitoring, nuclear instrumentation, and safeguards.
CLYC scintillators are typically supplied as encapsulated single crystals, protecting the hygroscopic material and ensuring stable long-term operation in laboratory and field environments.
Key Advantages of CLYC
- Simultaneous neutron & gamma detection in one detector
- Excellent pulse shape discrimination (PSD) capability
- High light yield for gamma spectroscopy
- Sensitive to thermal neutrons via lithium-based capture reactions
- Compatible with PMT and SiPM readout systems
CLYC reduces system complexity by replacing separate neutron and gamma detectors with a single scintillator solution.
Typical Applications
- Neutron & gamma radiation monitoring
- Nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation
- Homeland security and border monitoring
- Research reactors and laboratory neutron detection
- Portable and fixed radiation detection systems
Detector Integration & Readout
CLYC scintillators can be integrated with:
- Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs) for traditional spectroscopy systems
- Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) for compact and portable detectors
Pulse shape discrimination (PSD) is typically implemented using digital electronics or FPGA-based systems to separate neutron and gamma events based on signal decay characteristics.
Summary of our CLYC scintillator
Gamma detection：
- light yield of ~22,000 ph/MeV,
- fast decay component of ~1 ns, and a gamma linear response of ~1%.
- energy resolution of 3.5–4% at 662 keV.
Thermal neutrons
- Light yield increases to ~70,000 ph/MeV
- Figure of Merit (FOM) of ~3.
