Abstract: The ϕ76 mm×76 mm LaBr₃ crystal doped with CeCl₃ was grown by modified Bridgman technique. The crystal was cut and ground to ϕ76 mm×15 mm, and packed in a housing to prevent hygroscopic effects. The entrance window was comprised of a 200 μm thick Be sheet. The energy resolution of package is 55% under 5.9 keV gamma-ray excitation. The scintillation performance of the package was characterized before and after mechanical test (1 000 g impact and 14.12 g random vibration), thermal vacuum test (-40~+50 ℃, ≤1.3×10^-3 Pa), and irradiation test (160 krad dose of ⁶⁰Co irradiation). The results show that there is no change in the appearance of crystal. The energy resolution of the package changes from 5.30% to 4.89% under 662 keV gamma-ray excitation, the light output loss is 0.2%.

Key words: LaBr₃ crystal, beryllium metal, Bridgman method, scintillation crystal, radiation detection, encapsulation