Energy Resolution Measurements on a Large Single BGO Crystal from 1 MeV to 50 MeV

The response of a 4 inch diameter × 3 inch long single Bismuth Germanium Oxide (Be4Ge3O12) crystal to photons up to 12 MeV and electrons of 30 MeV and 50 MeV has been measured. BGO is a high Z, high density, rugged non-hygroscopic inorganic crystal scintillator. The resolution decreases somewhat slower than E-1/2 up to 12 MeV where the FWHM is about 4%. At 30 MeV and 50 MeV the FWHM is about 3.6%. The results suggest that BGO may be a useful material for total absorption shower counters in high energy physics.