The study of inorganic scintillating materials

Abstract

The procedure for measuring the temporal characteristics and light output of inorganic scintillating materials excited by [beta]-, [gamma]-, and [alpha]-particles from radioactive sources is described. Results of measurements of characteristics are presented for ~30 scintillating compounds including cerium-doped yttrium silicate and scandium borate; europium-doped strontium phosphate; cerium-doped strontium silicate, calcium silicate and magnesium calcium silicate, etc. Upon [beta]- and [gamma]-excitation, cerium-doped scandium borate gives the highest light output with a fluorescent lifetime of 40±4 ns. The highest light output for [alpha]-excitation was from cerium-doped yttrium aluminum perovskite, with a fluorescent lifetime of 29±3 ns.