Energy Resolution and Temperature Dependence of Ce:GAGG Coupled to Silicon Photomultipliers

Abstract

Abstract-Scintillators are a critical component of sensor systems for the detection of ionizing radiation. Such systems have a diverse portfolio of applications from medical imaging, well logging in oil exploration and detection systems for the prevention of the illicit movement of nuclear materials. The rare earth element cerium is an ideal dopant for a variety of host scintillating materials due to the fast 5d1 → 4f radiative transition of Ce 3+ . Cerium-doped Gadolinium Aluminium Gallium Garnet (Ce:GAGG) is a relatively new single crystal scintillator with several interesting properties. These include high light yield; an emission peak well-matched to silicon sensors; and a low intrinsic energy resolution. Moreover, the material has a high density and is non-hygroscopic. In this article we review the properties of cerium-doped GAGG and report Energy Resolution (ER) measurements over the temperature range -10• C to +50• C for 3 × 3 × 30 mm 3 Ce:GAGG crystals optically coupled to a Silicon Photomultipler (SiPM) sensor with a 3mm × 3mm active area. In addition the linearity of the scintillator-SiPM response as a function of gamma energy is reported.

State-of-the-Art Mobile Radiation Detection Systems for Different Scenarios

“…LaBr 3 [Ce+Sr] is a recent scintillating crystal featuring enhanced energy resolution (light yield) and photoelectron yield in comparison to the standard LaBr 3 [101]. [101,104] Since organic scintillators have low Z, Compton scattering is the main reaction, and photoelectric effect becomes dominant for low energies, typically below 20 keV. Their low density and low light output (e.g., SGC BC-400 plastic scintillator has a factor of four less light output than the inorganic scintillator NaI) makes them less efficient; however, this can be offset if large volumes of plastic scintillator are used (e.g., in RPM or waste monitors) due to their low price.…”

Suitability of a SiPM photodetector for implementation in an automated thermoluminescent dosimeter reader

“…The replacement of the soldering iron with an element such as the kanthal alloy heater described in [28] would enable the real IV curve of the end product to be studied. Similarly, although studying the γ-ray spectra of a Scintillator-SiPM system as a function of temperature is a standard assessment technique [5,59], the desired measurement is actually the time-integrated light emitted from the TLD as it is heated, the glow curve. This experiment is clearly the most fundamental to the product but requires a degree of further development work before it can be performed.…”

“…The silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) is becoming increasingly popular in a variety of fields, from nuclear security [1,2], to radiopharmeceutical quality control [3], to health physics [4], to medical imaging [5,6], to name but a few. Effectively, any field that was formerly the domain of the photomultiplier tube is now rapidly being invaded with solid state technology.…”

Synthesis of GAGG:Ce3+ powder for ceramics using mechanochemical and solution combustion methods

“…Two forms of GAGG:Ce have been made: sizable single crystals and powders . This material has been considered useful for both gamma and X‐ray applications, as well as alpha particle detection and nuclear medicine . An extensive list of physical and scintillation properties of GAGG:Ce is shown in Table .…”