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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Hadron-Induced Radiation Damage in Fast Heavy Inorganic Scintillators

Fast and heavy inorganic scintillators with suitable radiation tolerance are required to face the challenges presented at future hadron colliders of high energy and intensity. Up to 5 GGy and 5 × 1018 neq/cm2 of one-MeV-equivalent neutron fluence is expected by the forward calorimeter at the Future Hadron Circular Collider. This paper reports the results of an investigation of proton- and neutron-induced radiation damage in various fast and heavy inorganic scintillators, such as LYSO:Ce crystals, LuAG:Ce ceramics, and BaF2 crystals. The experiments were carried out at the Blue Room with 800 MeV proton fluence up to 3.0 × 1015 p/cm2 and at the East Port with one MeV equivalent neutron fluence up to 9.2 × 1015 neq/cm2, respectively, at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. Experiments were also carried out at the CERN PS-IRRAD proton facility with 24 GeV proton fluence up to 8.2 × 1015 p/cm2. Research and development will continue to develop LuAG:Ce ceramics and BaF2:Y crystals with improved optical quality, F/T ratio, and radiation hardness.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Temperature and dopant concentration effects on proton light quenching in rare-earth inorganic scintillators [Slides]

Rare-earth inorganic scintillators have characteristics that offer optimal detection qualities for space applications as long a quenching is considered; Incident proton and electron response was measured in four different rare-earth inorganic scintillators of interest; We observed: A temperature effect on quenching for GAGG type detectors. A dopant concentration/decay time effect on quenching for GAGG detectors; Extracting the Birks’ factor for future detectors will improve the analysis of data.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

A method for estimating light quenching in inorganic scintillator detectors for radioactive ion beam experiments

In recent experiments, inorganic scintillators have been used to study the decays of exotic nuclei, providing an alternative to silicon detectors and enabling measurements that were previously impossible. However, proper use of these materials requires us to understand and quantify the scintillation process, specifically in response to very heavy nuclei. Here, in this work, we show a simplified method based on the models of Birks (1951) and Meyer and Murray (1962) to parametrize the light output of inorganic scintillators in response to beams of energetic heavy ions over a broad range of energies. We test the accuracy of our parametrization approach by calculating light output and quenching factors for various ions and comparing them with experimental data from Lutetium Yttrium Orthosilicate (LYSO:Ce), a common inorganic scintillator. The Meyer–Murray model suggests that, for sufficiently heavy ions at high energies, the majority of the light output is associated with the creation of delta electrons, which are induced by the passage of the beam through the material. These delta electrons dramatically impact the response of detection systems when subject to ions with velocities typical of beams in modern fragmentation facilities. To illustrate this, we also present a qualitative estimate of the effects of delta rays on overall light output using the Birks–Meyer–Murray parametrization. The approach presented herein will serve as a basic framework for further, more rigorous studies of scintillator response to heavy ions. This work is a crucial first step in planning future experiments where energetic exotic nuclei are interacting with scintillator detectors.

Heavy ion↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dual Readout in Homogenous Inorganic Scintillators for Precision Calorimeters

Homogeneous inorganic scintillator-based calorimeters are the gold standard for electromagnetic energy resolution, but often degrade the hadronic energy resolution achievable at colliders. By incorporating the dual readout technique, we seek to improve the hadronic energy resolution of these calorimeters through the measurement and separation of the scintillation and Cherenkov light in hadronic showers. In April 2024, CalVision performed single-crystal tests using the electron test beam at DESY. Using a single delay line technique for waveform analysis, sufficient cerenkov light can be extracted to fully capitalize on the dual readout technique. This talk will present the results of PWO, BGO, BSO, PbF2, and two novel scintillating glasses.

Anderson, Thomas [Virginia U.]↗
DOE OSTI2024

Proton Quenching in Rare-Earth Inorganic Scintillators: GAGG:Ce and YSO:Ce

Scintillator detectors are an integral component of radiation detection systems for a variety of applications such as medical imaging, accelerator diagnostics, and space science. Typically, a scintillator detector’s response is characterized using gamma sources to understand the detection response to different types of radiation, including charged particle detection. However, there exists a nonlinearity of the amount of light produced from an incident gamma ray of specific energy and the light produced from an incident charged particle of the same energy. This important effect, known as quenching, must be accounted for to interpret energies from charged particles incident on detectors. In this article, we present results of quenching parameterization for two types of cerium-doped inorganic scintillators, Y2SiO5:Ce (YSO:Ce) and Gd3Al2Ga3O12:Ce (GAGG:Ce). We measured the light output from incident proton energies from 1 to 25 MeV using a 3-MV tandem accelerator and two reactions: Au(p,p)Au and 3He(d,p)⁴He. Using gamma-ray sources to calibrate the detectors, we compared the measured electron-equivalent energy versus the incident energy expected. Using an adaptation of the Birks semi-empirical formula, we extracted the Birks parameter (kB) to understand quenching. For one of the GAGG:Ce samples, the kB parameter of 0.0072 [g cm-2 MeV-1] is comparable to a similar study where the value of kB was 0.0065 [g cm-2 MeV-1]. For YSO:Ce, no other kB values were found in the literature. Three different types of GAGG:Ce were used to collect measurements of kB as a function of dopant concentration.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Tl+-based and mixed halide A3B2X9-type scintillators

Inorganic halides (e.g., inorganic halide scintillators) of the general formula A3B2X9, including inorganic halides comprising thallium monovalent cations and/or combinations of different halides, are described. Radiation detectors including the inorganic halide scintillators and methods of using the detectors to detect high energy radiation are also described. In some cases, the scintillators can include a gadolinium cation, a boron cation, a lithium cation, a chloride ion, or combinations thereof and the scintillator can be used to detect neutrons.

Rutstrom, Daniel↗
DOE OSTI2023

Triple-mode detector for fast neutrons, slow neutrons, and gamma ray spectroscopy

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to neutron detection and gamma ray detection. In one aspect, a detector comprises a scintillator structure that comprises an organic scintillator and an inorganic scintillator. The organic scintillator is in the form of one or more elements of a specified length. The inorganic scintillator is in the form of one or more elements of the specified length. First ends of the one or more organic scintillator elements and first ends of the one or more inorganic scintillator elements define a first surface. Second ends of the one or more organic scintillator elements and second ends of the one or more inorganic scintillator elements define a second surface.

Derenzo, Stephen↗
DOE OSTI2025

Scintillator Library: A database of inorganic and organic scintillator properties

The Scintillator Library (scintillator.lbl.gov) is a database of scintillator properties hosted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in a web-accessible format. It contains a variety of measured inorganic and organic scintillator properties extracted from peer-reviewed literature and manufacturer specifications. Data housed within the Scintillator Library supply an important resource for developers of scintillator-based detection systems and an aid for scientists seeking to establish connections between fundamental material and chemical properties and the associated scintillation performance.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Study of the Scintillating Properties of Materials Based on Self- Assembling Quantum Dots Embedded into a Semiconductor Bulk

The goal of the project is to investigate scintillating properties of materials based on self-assembled InAs QDs embedded into GaAs bulk. According to theoretical predictions, such materials can have scintillating properties and low self-absorption. Compared to scintillators based on inorganic scintillating crystals, QD-based scintillators could have significantly higher light yield and shorter emission times. We intend to check the theoretical predictions experimentally, measure scintillation parameters and their dependence on the QD-based materials and learn how the properties could be optimized for practical applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Novel Ultrafast Lu2O3:Yb Ceramics for Future HEP Applications

Inorganic scintillators activated by charge transfer luminescence Yb3+ are considered promising ultrafast material to break the ps timing barrier for future high energy physics applications. Inorganic scintillators in ceramic form are potentially more cost-effective than crystals because of their lower fabrication temperature and no need for aftergrowth mechanical processing. This paper reports an investigation on Lu2O3:Yb and Lu2xY2(1−x)O3:Yb scintillating ceramic samples fabricated by Radiation Monitoring Devices Inc. All samples show X-ray excited luminescence peaked at 370 nm. Ultrafast decay time of 1.1 ns was observed by using a microchannel plate-photomultiplier tube-based test bench at Caltech. Considering its intrinsic high density (9.4 g/cm3), Lu2O3:Yb ceramics are promising for future time of fight application for high energy physics experiments.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Lanthanide doped cesium barium halide scintillators

The present invention provides for a composition comprising an inorganic scintillator comprising an optionally lanthanide-doped cesium barium halide, useful for detecting nuclear material.

Borade, Ramesh B.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Barriers to carriers: faults and recombination in non-stoichiometric perovskite scintillators

Abstract Tuning the efficiency and speed of charge carrier recombination in inorganic scintillators can potentially improve their performance in diverse applications. Recent work suggests that this maybe be achieved via a two-phase scintillator AB that naturally phase separates into A -rich and B -rich domains. In addition, a favorable electronic structure and band-edge alignment such that the charge carriers are confined or are thermodynamically driven to preferentially accumulate in one of the two domains, might lead to an improved radiative recombination rate. Here, we use density functional theory computations and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD), including non-adiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) simulations, to examine an alternative phase structure and its potential impact on recombination. Using a model perovskite SrTiO $$_3$$ 3 system with one-, two- and three-dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) phases, we demonstrate that RP faults induce band structure changes in the material that can act as barriers to carrier transport. Our AIMD/NAMD simulations indicate competing effects of a lower mean free path (potentially enhancing the desired radiative recombination and overall scintillating efficiency) and faster non-radiative recombination (undesired) due to enhanced electron–phonon coupling in the faulted system. Full exploitation of such a rational design approach would require tuning of the effective scintillation efficiency by varying the perovskite chemistry using appropriate arrangements of RP faults in the bulk material. Finally, other effects, such as the tendency of point defects to segregate at the interface, that might affect the overall performance, are briefly discussed. We expect the basic results found here to apply to other nanostructured scintillators. Graphical Abstract

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Advanced inorganic halide ceramic scintillators

Research in ceramic scintillators has steadily progressed alongside the research in bulk single crystal scintillator growth. As interest in faster scintillation material production with lower cost increases, more research on scintillating ceramics is needed. Research targeting optimization of optically transparent ceramics that can rival bulk-grown crystals grown may lower cost, increase yield, increase volume, and improve energy resolution in applications and systems currently using sodium iodide and alike. Ceramic scintillators that are dense (>5 g/cm 3 ), have high effective Z (>60), are bright (>40,000 photons/MeV), and are not sensitive to moisture as well as those that can be handled without protection are desired. Ultra-fast ceramic materials are also of interest. This paper presents an equipment design and technique to produce inorganic halide ceramic scintillators Cs 2 HfCl 6 (CHC) and Tl 2 HfCl 6 (THC). Improvements and optimization of CHC and THC ceramic scintillator fabrication are gauged by monitoring the energy resolution and peak position of 137 Cs full energy peak at 662 keV. With a 1-inch diameter CHC ceramic scintillator, energy resolution of 5.4% (FWHM) and light yield of 20,700 ph/MeV are achieved, while with a 16-mm diameter THC ceramic scintillator, energy resolution of 5.1% (FWHM) and light yield of 27,800 ph/MeV are achieved. Decay times of 0.6 μs (21%) and 3.0 μs (79%) are measured for CHC and 0.3 μs (13%) and 1.0 μs (87%) for THC. Here, both ceramic CHC and THC scintillators have similarly good proportionality data when compared to their single crystal counterparts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Activator-doped Hg 2 Br 2 as next generation high performance scintillator for high energy physics research and other scientific and imaging applications

Existing COTS inorganic scintillators all have the characteristic of being very good at certain desirable properties, but not sufficient at other desirable properties for HEP. The demand for suitable scintillators (with regards to both scintillation detector properties and suitable pricing), to be used for modern intensities frontier (Mu2e-II), energy frontier (High luminosity large hadron collider) and future e+e- collider projects (aimed as Higgs bosons factory, such as the International Linear Collider (ILC) and the Future Circular Collider (FCC) are putting even higher challenges on crystal scintillators.In this work, we report the development of a novel high-performance scintillators that can address the issues associated with existing scintillators, the activator doped Hg2Br2. Initial results are very encouraging on the detection of gamma and alpha particles using a solid-state photomultiplier (SSPM). The responses have been stable and repeatable. Hg2Br2 also has many advantages over existing COTS scintillators such as: high density, bright, fast, good energy resolution, no intrinsic radiation, radiation hard and cost-effectiveness. Here, we present here why Hg2Br2 is the next generation scintillator for high energy physics experiments as well as other scientific and imaging applications such as planetary science and medical imaging.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Luminescence and Scintillation in the Niobium Doped Oxyfluoride Rb4Ge5O9F6:Nb

A new niobium-doped inorganic scintillating oxyfluoride, Rb4Ge5O9F6:Nb, was synthesized in single crystal form by high-temperature flux growth. The host structure, Rb4Ge5O9F6, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn with lattice parameters a = 6.98430(10) Å, b = 11.7265(2) Å, and c = 19.2732(3) Å, consisting of germanium oxyfluoride layers made up of Ge3O9 units connected by GeO3F3 octahedra. In its pure form, Rb4Ge5O9F6 shows neither luminescence nor scintillation but when doped with niobium, Rb4Ge5O9F6:Nb exhibits bright blue luminescence and scintillation. The isostructural doped structure, Rb4Ge5O9F6:Nb, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn with lattice parameters a = 6.9960(3) Å, b = 11.7464(6) Å, and c = 19.3341(9) Å. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements suggest that the niobium is located in an octahedral coordination environment. Optical measurements inform us that the niobium dopant acts as the activator. The synthesis, structure, and optical properties are reported, including radioluminescence (RL) measurements under X-ray irradiation.

Carone, Darren (ORCID:0000000164014098)↗
DOE OSTI2021

Spatially resolved x-ray detection with photonic crystal scintillators

We study the self-collimation phenomenon in photonic crystals (PhC) of wide bandgap materials for ultra-fast and high spatial resolution x-ray detection. We work on various heavy inorganic scintillators: BaF 2 , GaN, ZnO, CsI:Tl, NaI:Tl, LYSO, WO 4 compounds, and plastic scintillators. Conventional scintillator detectors do not rely on a direct detection mechanism; hence, they require intricate design and fabrication processes. We offer a PhC design to observe self-collimation phenomena and overcome the ongoing spatial resolution challenges with these types of materials. We investigate the photonic band diagrams and iso-frequency contours. Fourier transforms based on finite-difference time-domain and frequency domain simulations are done for verifying and analyzing the self-collimation with the selected material. Light extraction efficiency at the PhC–air interface, depending on the truncation distance from the excitation point, is measured. Beam divergence values are calculated at 1 mm propagation distance. The vertical field profiles are obtained to observe the confinement. For the spatial resolution analysis, cross-sectional beam profiles have been examined. Furthermore, Gaussian envelopes are fitted to beam profiles for a consistent data analysis, and full-width-at-half-maximum values are considered. As a result, we theoretically prove and demonstrate the spatially resolved x-ray detection at the sub-micrometer level for a wide range of scintillator materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Improved light yield and growth of large-volume ultrafast single crystal scintillators Cs 2 ZnCl 4 and Cs 3 ZnCl 5

Due to their reported fast decay times, Cs 2 ZnCl 4 and Cs 3 ZnCl 5 are promising candidates for detection of gamma rays and X-rays in high count rate and fast timing applications. In this work, we show that single crystals with better optical quality than previously demonstrated – and larger in size – can be grown via the vertical Bridgman method. Highly transparent Ø7 mm crystals of undoped Cs 2 ZnCl 4 and Cs 3 ZnCl 5 are grown and measured to have light yields surpassing those previously reported, achieving 1980 ± 100 ph/MeV and 1460 ± 70 ph/MeV at 662 keV – a 55% and 232% improvement, respectively. We observe single-component scintillation decay times for both Cs 2 ZnCl 4 (1.66 ns) and Cs 3 ZnCl 5 (0.82 ns) and radioluminescence emission with maximum intensity at ~290 nm. Scalability of these materials is also evaluated based on growth of Ø22 mm crystals. Minimal cracking is observed, and the fast decay times are maintained at this size. Coincidence time resolution of 3 × 3 × 5 mm 3 and 7 × 7 × 10 mm 3 pixels cut from Ø22 mm Cs 2 ZnCl 4 are measured to be 148 ± 1 ps FWHM and 175 ± 1 ps FWHM, respectively. Here, the improved performance and ability to be fabricated in large sizes now place Cs 2 ZnCl 4 and Cs 3 ZnCl 5 on the map as potential contenders for radiation detection applications where BaF 2 – the most commonly used ultrafast inorganic scintillator – is typically considered.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Accelerated radiation transport modeling techniques for pencil beam computed tomography using gamma rays

Monte Carlo radiation transport modeling studies were performed for a compact, and high-resolution gamma-ray computed tomography system designed for imaging irradiated nuclear fuel. The system comprises a 60 Co source – chosen for its highly penetrating 1173 keV and 1332 keV gamma rays – a pair of high-aspect-ratio pencil beam collimators, and an inorganic scintillator detector. Here two acceleration methods are proposed to rapidly model a transmission type gamma-ray tomography system. The first, a variance reduction technique, is based on performing Monte Carlo simulations with a monodirectionally-biased source, sampled from a characteristic sub-volume of the full source volume. The second acceleration method is based on the deterministic calculations using the Beer–Lambert law and detector response characteristics. Comparison of simulations using acceleration approaches with analog simulations of the fully isotropic, full-volume equivalent, show that the Monte Carlo variance reduction technique gives quantitatively accurate predictions for large collimator aspect ratios while the deterministic calculations are semi-quantitative but converge close to the correct result as the collimator aspect ratio increases. As such, these techniques can be used to reduce the computational cost in generating simulated radiographs and tomographs by several orders of magnitude. Experimental validation efforts are currently underway and will be demonstrated in future work.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗