Characterisation of a CeBr3(LB) detector for space application

We describe the performance of a 23 × 23 × 30 mm3 low background cerium bromide, CeBr3(LB), scintillator crystal coupled to a Hamamatsu R11265U-200 photomultiplier. This detector will be the building block for a gamma-ray detector array designed to be the payload for a CubeSat to be launched in 2020. The aim of the mission is to study flashes of gamma rays of terrestrial origin. The design of the detector has been tuned for the detection of gamma rays in the 20 keV–3 MeV energy range.