Scintillation and Optical Properties of \!:\!^ and \!:\!

• Published in: IEEE transactions on nuclear science Vol. 58; no. 6; pp. 3403 - 3410
• Main Authors: Bizarri, G., Bourret-Courchesne, E. D., Zewu Yan, Derenzo, S. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.12.2011; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Crystals; Energy measurement; Energy resolution; europium; halides; Optical variables measurement; proportionality; scintillator; Stimulated emission; Temperature measurement; Wavelength measurement
• ISSN: 0018-9499; 1558-1578
• DOI: 10.1109/TNS.2011.2166999

This paper reports on the scintillation and optical properties of the recently discovered europium doped BaBrI and CsBa 2 I 5 scintillators. Single crystals of BaBrI and CsBa 2 I 5 were grown from the melt by the vertical Bridgman technique. Crystals were doped with 8% and 4% Eu 2+ for BaBrI and CsBa 2 I 5 , respectively. These crystals have higher optical quality and present improved scintillation performance compared to the previously reported values. An estimated light yield of 97,000±5,000 and 102,000±6,000 photons per MeV (ph/MeV) of absorbed gamma-ray energy is now measured for BaBrI:8%Eu 2+ and CsBa 2 I 5 :4%Eu 2+ , respectively. A better energy resolution has also been observed. BaBrI energy resolution for the 662 keV full absorption peak (FWHM over peak position) decreased to 3.4±0.2% and CsBa 2 I 5 :4%Eu 2+ energy resolution decreased to 2.55±0.2% . Additional measurements show both scintillators with an excellent light yield proportionality. Finally, based on optical and x-ray excited emission spectra and decay curves, energy transfer mechanisms in BaBrI and CsBa 2 I 5 scintillators are briefly discussed.