Nuclear Particle Detection by New Heavy Scintillators: ThBr4 and ThCl4 Single Crystals

ThBr4 and ThCl4 are new inorganic scintillators, We review their responses to gamma rays, protons, deutons, alpha particles and heavy ions. All calibrations are referred to an α line provided by the self-induced α spectrum. Some features like resolution are similar to those of other ionic scintillators but some differences such as relative scintillation efficiency, scintillation decay time and resistance to radiation damages are pointed out in comparison with NaI(Tl).