Title :
LaBr3:Ce scintillators for gamma-ray spectroscopy
Author :
Shah, K.S. ; Glodo, J. ; Klugerman, M. ; Moses, W.W. ; Derenzo, S.E. ; Weber, M.J.
Author_Institution :
Radiat. Monitoring Devices Inc., Watertown, MA, USA
Abstract :
In this paper, we report on a relatively new scintillator - LaBr3:Ce for gamma-ray spectroscopy. Crystals of this scintillator have been grown using Bridgman process. This material when doped with cerium has high light output (∼60000 photons/MeV) and fast principal decay constant (≤25 ns). Furthermore, it shows excellent energy resolution for γ-ray detection. Energy resolution of 3.2% (FWHM) has been achieved for 662 keV photons (137Cs source) at room temperature. High timing resolution (260 ps FWHM) has been recorded with LaBr3:Ce-PMT and BaF2-PMT detectors operating in coincidence mode using 511-keV positron annihilation γ-ray pairs. Details of its scintillation properties, and variation of these properties with changing cerium concentration are reported. Potential applications of this material are also addressed.
Keywords :
bromine compounds; cerium; crystal growth from melt; doping profiles; fluorescence; gamma-ray detection; lanthanum compounds; photomultipliers; scintillation; solid scintillation detectors; time resolved spectra; 260 ps; 511 keV; 662 keV; 137Cs source; BaF2-photomultiplier tubes; Bridgman process; Ce3+ concentration; LaBr3:Ce; LaBr3:Ce scintillators; LaBr3:Ce-photomultiplier tubes; cerium concentration; cerium doping; coincidence mode; crystal growth; decay constant; energy resolution; fluorescence decay; gamma-ray detection; gamma-ray spectroscopy; light output; positron annihilation gamma-ray pairs; potential applications; scintillation properties; timing resolution spectra; Cerium; Crystalline materials; Energy resolution; Gamma ray detection; Gamma ray detectors; Photonic crystals; Solid scintillation detectors; Spectroscopy; Temperature; Timing;
Journal_Title :
Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TNS.2003.820614
