Suppression of the radiation damage in lead tungstate scintillation crystal

Methods to suppress damage centres in lead tungstate (PWO) crystals under irradiation are discussed. It is shown that in large size scintillation elements (23 cm in length) the minimization of both electron and hole centers created under irradiation by recharge of structural defects is achieved by proper stoichiometry tuning and additional simultaneous doping of crystals by Y and Nb. The different aspects of the suppression of the recharge process in PWO scintillation crystals are also discussed.