Development of a novel Lanthanum Halide-based solid solutiongamma radiation scintillation material

摘要

This paper will describe scintillator materials based on certain types of halide-lanthanide matrixrnmaterials. The matrix materials contain a mixture of lanthanide halides, I.e. a solid solution of atrnleast two of the halides, such as lanthanum chloride and lanthanum bromide. The scintillatorrnmaterials also include an activator for the matrix material, e.g. cerium. These materials are of arnsolid solution type and have been studied in the form of pressed powders. It has been demonstratedrnthat the solid solution form of these materials has higher light output than either one of the endrnmembers of the solid solution. Additionally, the phase diagram for this solid solution has beenrnutilized to identify the preferred material composition for single crystal growth of these uniquernhalide-lanthanide matrix materials. Based on the excellent spectral resolution demonstrated byrnLaCl3:Ce and LaBr3:Ce, the solid solution, with potentially higher light output, may have betterrnenergy resolution as well. Improved light output and energy resolution will provide better isotopicrnidentification capabilities in systems where these types of materials are used and will also offerrnimproved signal to noise characteristics in these systems.