Response of a BGO detector to photon and neutron sources: simulations and measurements

In this paper Monte Carlo simulations (FLUKA) and measurements of the response of a BGO detector are reported. For the measurements three low-energy photon emitters (60Co, 54Mn, 137Cs) were used to irradiate the BGO from various distances and angles. The neutron response was measured with an Am–Be neutron source. Simulations of the experimental irradiations were carried out. Our study can also be considered as a benchmark for FLUKA in terms of its reliability to predict the detector response of a BGO scintillator.