Dual Cherenkov and Scintillation Response to High-Energy Electrons of Rare-Earth-Doped Silica Fibers

Abstract

The investigation of the characteristic luminescent response of Ce-doped silica fibers exposed to electrons in the 20-200-GeV energy range is reported in this work to explore the feasibility of using silica-based fibers for a simultaneous dual-readout approach. The sol-gel method allows the preparation of either doped or undoped fibers with high aspect ratio and high purity, providing good flexibility and spatial resolution for the realization of a dual-readout detector. The dual Cherenkov and scintillation light emitted by silica-based fibers potentially offers applications in high-energy-physics calorimetry as well as in other fields, such as radiation monitoring in medicine, security, and industrial control. The response of the fibers, embedded in a tungsten-copper absorber block to obtain a spaghetti-like geometry in a high-energyphysics environment, is investigated through a test-beam campaign at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron facility. The discrimination of Cherenkov and scintillation light is demonstrated and discussed, along with a detailed investigation of the scintillation properties of the material: time-resolved spectroscopy, relative light output, and attenuation length are evaluated. The results presented in this study can pave the way for further material engineering and future applications.

Trapping Mechanisms and Delayed Recombination Processes in Scintillating Ce-Doped Sol–Gel Silica Fibers

“…In some cases, scintillators based on rare-earth (RE)-doped glass matrices were demonstrated to be a valid alternative to single crystals. − At first developed for remote real-time dosimetry in radiology and radiotherapy, − recently, scintillating silica fibers were explored as candidates for the dual-readout calorimetry approach in high-energy physics, − exploiting the simultaneous detection of scintillation and Cherenkov light as a possible way to improve the energy resolution of calorimetric detectors . Quartz fibers were also considered as wavelength shifters for the collection and transport of light in high-energy physics experiments …”

“…44−46 At first developed for remote real-time dosimetry in radiology and radiotherapy, 47−51 recently, scintillating silica fibers were explored as candidates for the dual-readout calorimetry approach in high-energy physics, 52−57 exploiting the simultaneous detection of scintillation and Cherenkov light as a possible way to improve the energy resolution of calorimetric detectors. 58 Quartz fibers were also considered as wavelength shifters for the collection and transport of light in high-energy physics experiments. 59 In this work, we studied scintillating Ce-doped silica fibers produced by sol−gel synthesis.…”

Structure and vibrations of cerium in silica glass from molecular dynamics simulations

“…Cerium-containing glasses have stimulated extensive research interest due to their broad applications in radiation dosimetry and optical engineering. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Exhibiting unique separations between the 5d and 4f energy levels of Ce ions, these materials are commonly used for particle detectors and laser activators. In particular, Ce-doped silica has recently been proposed as a candidate absorber for the inertial confinement fusion facilities to protect the transport mirrors from laser back-reflection, which inclines to damage the surfaces and enforce frequent exchanges of optics consequently.…”

“…Cerium‐containing glasses have stimulated extensive research interest due to their broad applications in radiation dosimetry and optical engineering 1‐6 . Exhibiting unique separations between the 5d and 4f energy levels of Ce ions, these materials are commonly used for particle detectors and laser activators.…”

Unraveling Trapping Defects Distribution using Thermoluminescence in Gamma‐Irradiated SrZnO2:Dy Nanophosphors

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Rare-earth (RE) dopants are vastly explored for their alluring applications as scintillators, optoelectronics, energy storage, magnetics, catalysis, sensing, etc. [1][2][3][4][5] However, introducing RE ions into any host lattice can instill defect states in the material through a number of ways. [6,7] Doping of RE ions can cause lattice distortion due to mismatch in ionic radius of RE ions and cations of the host.

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