Advanced scintillators for neutron-gamma detection

Neutron-γ discrimination remains a central challenge in nuclear science, reactor instrumentation, homeland security, medical applications and space radiation monitoring, particularly in environments where weak neutron signals must be extracted from intense γ backgrounds. Recent progress in scintillator development has significantly expanded the variety of materials, ranging from traditional liquid and plastic organic scintillators to Li-based halide crystals, Gd-loaded scintillators and emerging neutron-sensitive glasses. This review summarizes the physical principles, material characteristics, and detector-level strategies that define neutron detection and neutron-γ discrimination across these materials. Special attention is given to the role of key conversion channels, including recoil processes, neutron capture in 3 He, 10 B, 6 Li, and Gd and the resulting pulse signatures exploited in modern detectors. We further compare major scintillator materials in terms of light yield, timing response, pulse shape discrimination capability, scalability, and suitability for thermal or fast neutron measurements. Beyond materials themselves, we emphasize that detector performance is increasingly shaped by the integration of photodetectors, waveform digitization, front-end electronics, and advanced data processing. In particular, simulation-guided optimization and AI-assisted pulse analysis are opening new opportunities for improving neutron-γ separation under low-energy, high-rate, and complex mixed radiation conditions. By connecting neutron interaction physics with material design and system engineering, this review outlines the main directions toward compact, robust, and application-oriented next-generation neutron scintillation detectors.