Bright, Fast Scintillator for Nuclear Studies

Scintillation spectrometers, which consist of inorganic scintillation crystals coupled to photomultiplier tubes, are an important element of nuclear and elementary particle physics experiments. However, the performance of the detection systems used in these experiments is often limited by the properties of currently-available scintillators. This project will investigate a new scintillator that appears to be very promising, due to its high light output, fast response, high efficiency, and excellent energy resolution. In Phase I, single crystals of the proposed scintillator were grown and their scintillation performance was evaluated. Energy and timing resolution measurements were conducted. The feasibility of applying the new scintillation material towards gamma ray spectroscopy was demonstrated. During Phase II, larger crystals of the proposed scintillator will be grown, and an extensive evaluation of scintillation performance will be conducted. The new scintillator will be characterized in a nuclear physics experiment. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to its use in nuclear, high energy, and space physics experiments, the new scintillator should find commercial use in medical imaging, nuclear waste characterization, geological exploration, industrial imaging, X-ray instrumentation, and materials analysis.