Scintillation Materials
Scintillation materials are a fascinating class of materials that have the ability to absorb high-energy radiation such as gamma rays, X-rays or neutrons and convert this energy into short pulses of light. This process, known as scintillation, is widely used in various fields, from medical diagnostics to high-energy physics and security technology.
Functionality of Scintillation Materials
When ionising radiation hits a scintillation material, it excites the atoms or molecules of the material. These excited states then fall back to their ground state, emitting photons in the visible or near-ultraviolet range. The number of photons emitted is proportional to the energy of the absorbed radiation, which forms the basis for the use of scintillators in radiation detection.
Our Range of Scintillators
Overview of our scintillators according to their radiation range
| CeBr3 | Ce:LBC | Eu:CaF2 | BaF2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-Ray / X-ray radiation | x | x | x | x |
| γ-Ray / gamma radiation | x | x | x | x |
| α-radiation/ alpha radiation | ||||
| β-radiation / beta radiation | x | |||
| Fast neutron / fast neutrons | x |
Types of scintillation materials
Scintillation materials come in various forms, including
- Inorganic crystals: These crystals, such as sodium iodide (NaI) or caesium iodide (CsI) , are often characterised by a high light yield and good energy resolution. They are frequently used in medical imaging and high-energy physics.
- Liquid scintillators: These solutions of organic scintillators in an organic solvent are used to measure weakly radiating samples, e.g. in radiocarbon dating.
- Plastic scintillators: These materials consist of a polymer in which an organic scintillator is embedded. They are cost-effective and can be used flexibly, e.g. in radiotherapy. Organic scintillators, such as anthracene or stilbene, have a fast response time and are therefore well suited for time measurement in particle physics.
Applications
Scintillation materials play a crucial role in a variety of applications:
- Medical diagnostics: In nuclear medicine, scintillators are used in gamma cameras and PET scanners to generate images of the inside of the body.
- Security technology: Scintillation detectors are used to identify radioactive materials in luggage or freight.
- High-energy physics: In particle accelerators, scintillators help to measure the properties of particles and discover new particles.
- Geophysical exploration: Scintillators are used in borehole measurements to determine the composition of rocks and to search for mineral resources.
Selection criteria
The choice of the optimal scintillation material depends on the respective application. Important criteria are
- Luminous efficacy: The intensity of the emitted light per absorbed energy.
- Response time: The time it takes for the scintillator to emit light.
- Energy resolution: The ability to distinguish between radiation of different energies.
- Radiation hardness: The resistance of the material to radiation damage.
- Cost: The cost of producing the material.
Scintillation materials are an indispensable tool in many areas of science and technology. Through continuous research and development, new materials with improved properties are constantly being discovered and new areas of application opened up.