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 different radioactive sources were used to irradiate the BGO crystal. For the measurements three low-energy photon emitters $\left({}^{60}\rm{Co},\right.$ ${}^{54}\rm{Mn},$ $\left. {}^{137}\rm{Cs}\right)$ 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.