Development of phase-separated scintillators with light-guiding properties

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Solid-State Physics
• Photonics

Background:

• Alkali halide systems are crucial for scintillator development.
• Phase separation is a key phenomenon in creating advanced scintillator materials.
• Light-guiding properties enhance scintillator performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To successfully create alkali halide systems functioning as phase-separated scintillators (PSSs).
• To investigate the light-guiding properties within the matrix phases of these PSSs.
• To identify practical material pairs for high-performance scintillators.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of alkali halide systems exhibiting phase separation.
• Characterization of the optical and structural properties of the PSSs.
• Evaluation of light-guiding capabilities within the matrix phases.

Main Results:

• Successful creation of alkali halide systems functioning as phase-separated scintillators.
• Demonstration that the matrix phases of the PSSs exhibit light-guiding properties.
• Identification of CsI-NaCl:Tl as a practical material pair.

Conclusions:

• Alkali halide phase-separated scintillators with inherent light-guiding properties have been developed.
• The matrix phase is responsible for the observed light-guiding effect.
• CsI-NaCl:Tl is a promising material for scintillators due to its high pixel light output and spatial resolution.