High-light-output scintillator for photodiode readout: Lul 3:Ce3+

Abstract

In this paper, we investigated the scintillation properties of LuI 3:Ce3+. Radioluminescence, light output, energy resolution, and γscintillation decay are reported. We find an extremely high light output of 98 000±10 000 photons/MeV. LuI3:Ce 3+ also gives a very high electron-hole (e-h) pair response when it is coupled with an avalanche photodiode (APD) (92 000±9000 e-h pairs/MeV). With an APD, a best energy resolution (full width at half maximum over the peak position) of 3.3%±0.3% for 662 keV γ quanta is observed. A combination of an extremely high light output and a good energy resolution makes LuI3:Ce3+ an ideal scintillator for radiation sensor applications. Some drawbacks due to the hygroscopicity and the difficult growth of LuI3:Ce3+ crystals are also discussed. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.