Response of TlCl(I,Be) Crystals to Energetic Ionizing Radiation

Studies of scintillation TlCl(I,Be) crystals have been conducted using 8-GeV negative pions and 50- to 130-MeV positrons. Pulse shapes and resolutions of these crystals have been measured. Pulses from TlCl(I,Be) are observed to have a fast rise time (≤2 nsec) and a complicated decay scheme consisting of at least three separate components. Attempts were also made to observe the Cerenkov radiation from these crystals due to highly relativistic particles. The resolution of the pulse height spectrum for a 2.9-cm diameter by 3.8-cm length TlCl(I,Be) scintillator was measured for 8-GeV negative pions. For comparison, the resolution of the same size CsI(Tl) scintillator was measured using the same experimental configuration. The resolution of CsI(Tl) is only slightly greater than theoretical prediction. The resolution of TlCl(I,Be) is greater, being limited by photon statistics even for 35 MeV of deposited energy. The resolution of a 7.6-cm diameter by 7.6-cm length TlCl(I,Be) crystal used as a Total Absorption Shower Counter for 50-130 MeV positrons has also been measured. This resolution is in reasonable agreement with previously reported data.