Abstract: A method of making LSO scintillators with high light yield and short decay times is disclosed. In one arrangement, the method includes codoping LSO with cerium and another dopant from the IIA or IIB group of the periodic table of elements. The doping levels are chosen to tune the decay time of scintillation pulse within a broader range (between about ˜30 ns up to about ˜50 ns) than reported in the literature, with improved light yield and uniformity. In another arrangement, relative concentrations of dopants are chosen to achieve the desired light yield and decay time while ensuring crystal growth stability.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses, in one arrangement, a single crystalline chloride scintillator material having a composition of the formula A3MCl6, wherein A consists essentially of Li, Na K, Rb, Cs or any combination thereof, and M consists essentially of Ce, Sc, Y, La, Lu, Gd, Pr, Tb, Yb, Nd or any combination thereof. In another arrangement, a chloride scintillator material is single-crystalline and has a composition of the formula AM2Cl7, wherein A consists essentially of Li, Na K, Rb, Cs or any combination thereof, and M consists essentially of Ce, Sc, Y, La, Lu, Gd, Pr, Tb, Yb, Nd or any combination thereof. Specific examples of these scintillator materials include single-crystalline Cs3CeCl6, CsCe2Cl7, Ce-doped KGd2Cl7 (KGd2(1-x)Ce2xCl7) and Ce-doped CsGd2Cl7 (CsGd2(1-x)Ce2xCl7). In a further arrangement, the Bridgman method can be used to grown single crystals of the chloride scintillator materials compounds synthesized from starting chlorides.

Abstract: A halide scintillator material is disclosed. The material is single-crystalline and has a composition of the formula A3MBr6(1-x)Cl6x (such as Cs3CeBr6(1-x)Cl6x) or AM2Br7(1-x)Cl7x (such as CsCe2Br7(1-x)Cl7x), 0?x?1, wherein A consists essentially of Li, Na K, Rb, Cs or any combination thereof, and M consists essentially of Ce, Sc, Y, La, Lu, Gd, Pr, Tb, Yb, Nd or any combination thereof. Furthermore, a method of making halide scintillator materials of the above-mentioned compositions is disclosed. In one example, high-purity starting halides (such as CsBr, CeBr3, CsCl and CeCl3) are mixed and melted to synthesize a compound of the desired composition of the scintillator material. A single crystal of the scintillator material is then grown from the synthesized compound by the Bridgman method. The disclosed scintillator materials are suitable for making scintillation detectors used in applications such as medical imaging and homeland security.

Abstract: LSO scintillation crystals with improved scintillation and optical properties are achieved by controlled co-doping a LSO crystal melt with amounts of cerium and an additional codopant such as calcium or other divalent cations. Crystal growth atmosphere is optimized by controlling the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. Zinc is added as an additional material to restabilize crystal growth where calcium co-dopant is added. The decay time of the scintillation crystal can be controlled by controlling the concentration of co-dopant added.