Cerium-doped mixed-alkali rare-earth double-phosphate scintillators for x- and gamma-ray detection

John S. Neal; Lynn A. Boatner; Merry Spurrier; Piotr Szupryczynski; Charles L. Melcher

doi:10.1117/12.683884

30 August 2006 Cerium-doped mixed-alkali rare-earth double-phosphate scintillators for x- and gamma-ray detection

John S. Neal, Lynn A. Boatner, Merry Spurrier, Piotr Szupryczynski, Charles L. Melcher

Proceedings Volume 6319, Hard X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Detector Physics and Penetrating Radiation Systems VIII; 631907 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.683884
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Previous measurements of the scintillation properties of members of the single-alkali, rare-earth double-phosphate family have demonstrated high light output and fast decay times when exposed to ionizing radiation. Cerium-doped K₃Lu(PO₄)₂ and Rb₃Lu(PO₄)₂ scintillators have exhibited light outputs of 32,500 and 28,200 photons/MeV respectively and decay times of 37 and 34 nanoseconds respectively. Because of the ease with which the alkali constituents (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) of the crystal matrix may be interchanged (e.g. K₂CsLu(PO₄)₂ and CsLi₂Lu(PO₄)₂), the rare-earth double-phosphate family of scintillators provides an ideal system for the study of matrix effects on scintillation efficiency and kinetics. In order to better understand and to ultimately optimize the scintillation properties of these scintillators, new members of the rare-earth double-phosphate family have been synthesized by high temperature flux growth. These new samples, represented by the general formula (A,B)₃Lu(PO₄)₂:Ce where A and B are alkali elements, incorporate mixed alkali rather than single alkali components and varying levels of Ce doping. Light output, scintillation decay times, and photoluminescence measurements for the most promising of the samples to date are reported. In this paper, we identify promising samples and results that clearly demonstrate outstanding light output, up to 270% of BGO, fast decay times, 29-39 nanoseconds, and peak emission wavelengths of ~ 400 nm for many of the samples.

Citation Download Citation

John S. Neal, Lynn A. Boatner, Merry Spurrier, Piotr Szupryczynski, and Charles L. Melcher "Cerium-doped mixed-alkali rare-earth double-phosphate scintillators for x- and gamma-ray detection", Proc. SPIE 6319, Hard X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Detector Physics and Penetrating Radiation Systems VIII, 631907 (30 August 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.683884

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available