The 5d level positions of the trivalent lanthanides in inorganic compounds

The 4fn↔4fn − 15d transitions of the trivalent lanthanides in halogenides and chalcogenides

A review is presented of recent inorganic scintillator R&D. Attention is focused on Ce doped gamma-ray and thermal-neutron scintillators for counting applications.

Inorganic-scintillator development

Due to events of the past two decades, there has been new and increased usage of radiation-detection technologies for applications in homeland security, nonproliferation, and national defense. As a result, there has been renewed realization of the materials limitations of these technologies and greater demand for the development of next-generation radiation-detection materials. This review describes the current state of radiation-detection material science, with particular emphasis on national security needs and the goal of identifying the challenges and opportunities that this area represents for the materials-science community. Radiation-detector materials physics is reviewed, which sets the stage for performance metrics that determine the relative merit of existing and new materials. Semiconductors and scintillators represent the two primary classes of radiation detector materials that are of interest. The state-of-the-art and limitations for each of these materials classes are presented, along with possible avenues of research. Novel materials that could overcome the need for single crystals will also be discussed. Finally, new methods of material discovery and development are put forward, the goal being to provide more predictive guidance and faster screening of candidate materials and thus, ultimately, the faster development of superior radiation-detection materials.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0884291400030016

Radiation Detector Materials: An Overview

Ce3+ 5d-centroid shift and vacuum referred 4f-electron binding energies of all lanthanide impurities in 150 different compounds

Optical and scintillation properties of pure and Ce3+-doped Cs2LiYCl6 and Li3YCl6 : Ce3+ crystals

Optical and scintillation properties of Ce3+ doped LiYF4 and LiLuF4 crystals

A new method to discriminate thermal neutrons against γ-rays using a radiation damaged LiBaF3 : Ce, Rb scintillation crystal is presented. Discrimination is based on the scintillation pulse shape which for thermal neutrons is very different than that for γ-rays because different scintillation mechanisms are involved. Efficient suppression of γ-rays with an energy from a few keV to a few MeV is possible.

C.M. Combes

Papers

Optical and scintillation properties of pure and Ce3+-doped Cs2LiYCl6 and Li3YCl6 : Ce3+ crystals

Optical and scintillation properties of Ce3+ doped LiYF4 and LiLuF4 crystals

A thermal-neutron scintillator with n/γ discrimination LiBaFCe,Rb

Luminescence and storage properties of LiYSiO4: Ce

Optical and scintillation properties of LiBaF3: Ce crystals