ABSTRACT
The response of BaF2 crystals versus the detection of light particles or heavy ions is discussed. The absorption coefficients for Nal, BaF2 and BG0 show that the efficiency of BaF2 crystals is less than that of the BG0 crystal and greater than that of the NaI crystals. The fast component of the BaF2 light emission, illustrated by the anode pulse shape, will allow for very good timing. Beside the usual natural radioactivity contaminations detected as well by other y counters several peaks appear especially in BaF2 detectors. The measurements have been repeated at larger distances to have a better neutron-y separation in the NaI crystal : for an equivalent Gamma counting rate in BaF2 and NaI detectors the neutrons detected were 2.3 times more important in the NaI than in the BaF2 counter.
