Tackling Single Crystal Growth Challenges for Mixed-Elpasolite Scintillators

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.6b00605
• Publication Date: 2016-06-15T12:41:48Z
• Authors: Hua Wei; Adam Lindsey; Zhao Zhao; Merry Koschan; Mariya Zhuravleva; Charles L. Melcher
• Keywords: Crystal (programming language)

The rising demand for efficient radiation detectors in various applications has led to intense research on single crystal scintillators. scintillation performance strongly depends the as-grown quality. Mixed-anion elpasolite crystals with Ce-doping such as Cs2NaREBr3I3 (RE = La, Y) are among most promising candidates next generation However, there multiple challenges traditional synthesis using melt–freeze growth techniques due complicated composition, well impurities, and varying thermal behavior of starting materials. To improve quality optimize their properties, a series investigations material treatment synthesis, ampule design, parameters were conducted. Effective purification carbon- oxygen-based impurities improved optical transmittance crystal. Differential scanning calorimetry gravimetric analysis results revealed instability compounds upon heating above melting temperature. Multiple cycles heating–soaking–cooling applied, which significantly increased completeness chemical reactions. Improvements light yield energy resolution Ce-doped Cs2NaLaBr3I3 Cs2NaYBr3I3 achieved. Our better understanding mixed-anion elpasolites, optimization engineer metal halide future.