Complex oxide scintillators for extreme conditions

Advanced technology and particular applications require a measurement of ionizing radiation under extreme conditions such as pressure, temperature, chemically aggressive environment, e.g. in deep geology boreholes, nuclear reactor monitoring, radiation chemistry processes, marine research, space science. Thus, reliable detectors for such conditions are needed. In these applications, relevant choice may be e.g. the single crystals of YAG:Ce (yttrium-aluminium garnet), YAP:Ce (yttrium-aluminium perovskit) or LuAG:Ce (lutetium-aluminium garnet). Important characteristics of these scintillators are shown in the article: their scintillating properties, light output under elevated temperature, chemical stability under exposure to boric acid, mechanical properties. Due to these parameters the YAG:Ce and YAP:Ce scintillators can be e.g. directly immersed in analyzed environment such as technological waters. This can be of advantage in case of high pressure applications, or when a windowless detector is required.