Saint-gobain Cristaux Et Detecteurs

Saint-gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.

Saint-gobain Cristaux & Détecteurs

Julien Lejay

Vladimir Ouspenski

Samuel Blahuta

Raphaël Huchet

Kan Yang

Peter R Menge

The present disclosure relates to a process for fabricating a crystalline scintillator material with a structure of elpasolite type of theoretical composition ABCMXwherein:

Fabrication of a scintillator material of elpasolite type

The present disclosure relates to a process for fabricating a crystalline scintillator material with a structure of elpasolite type of theoretical composition ABCMXwherein: y representing the atomic fraction of substitution of C by M and being in the range extending from 0 to 0.05, comprising its crystallization by cooling from a melt bath comprising r moles of A and s moles of B, the melt bath in contact with the material containing A and B in such a way that 2s/r is above 1. The process shows an improved fabrication yield. Moreover, the crystals obtained can have compositions closer to stoichiometry and have improved scintillation properties.

A scintillator can include a monocrystalline compound having a general formula NaLiX, where 0&#x3c;y&#x3c;1 and X is at least one halogen or any combination of halogens. In an embodiment, the scintillator can have a Pulse Shape Discrimination Figure of Merit of at least 1 at a temperature of 25&#xb0; C., at a temperature of 150&#xb0; C., or both.

Alkali halide scintillator and uses thereof

The present disclosure relates to a process for fabricating a crystalline scintillator material with a structure of elpasolite type of theoretical composition ABCMXwherein: A is chosen from among Cs, Rb, K, Na; B is chosen from among Li, K, Na; C is chosen from among the rare earths, Al, Ga; M is chosen from among the alkaline earths, X is chosen from among F, Cl, Br, I; y representing the atomic fraction of substitution of C by M and being in the range extending from 0 to 0.05, comprising its crystallization by cooling from a melt bath comprising r moles of A and s moles of B, the melt bath in contact with the material containing A and B in such a way that 2s/r is above 1. The process shows an improved fabrication yield. Moreover, the crystals obtained can have compositions closer to stoichiometry and have improved scintillation properties.

A scintillator can include an elpasolite scintillator compound. The scintillator can be doped with a Group 2 element, and may also include an activator. The scintillator has an improved core valence luminescence at room temperature as compared to a corresponding elpasolite scintillator compound without the Group 2 dopant. The elpasolite scintillator compound can have significant core valance luminescence at a temperature higher than 125&#xb0; C. In a particular embodiment, the elpasolite scintillator compound can include Cl and may or may not also include another halide, such as Br or I. The scintillator can be part of an apparatus that detects gamma radiation and neutrons and may allow a relatively simpler pulse discrimination technique to be used to a higher temperature, such as 125&#xb0; C. to 150&#xb0; C. before a relatively more complex pulse discrimination technique would be used.

Scintillator including an elpasolite scintillator compound and apparatus including the scintillator

A process for fabricating a crystalline scintillator material with an elpasolite structure that has a theoretical composition of ABCMXcan include conducting crystallization by cooling from a melt bath including r moles of A and s moles of B. A is chosen from Cs, Rb, K, and Na. B is chosen from Li, K, and Na. C is chosen from athe rare earth elements, Al, and Ga. M is chosen from the alkaline earth elements. X is chosen from F, Cl, Br, and I, and y represents the atomic fraction of substitution of C by M and is in the range extending from 0 to 0.05. The melt bath can be in contact with the material containing A and B in such a way that 2s/r is above 1. The process shows an improved fabrication yield. The crystals formed therefrom can have improved scintillation properties.

Growing community of inventors

Rueil Malmaison, France

Julien Lejay