Synthesis-Microstructure-Performance Relations in Oxide Ceramic Scintillators

Scintillators are unique materials that transform high energy ionizing radiation into visible light, being used for the detection and measurement of radiation in security, energy, medical diagnosis, and other strategic fields. Presently, there is a knowledge gap relating the fabrication and processing conditions of transparent ceramic scintillators with their scintillation output, a situation that negatively impacts the widespread use of these materials, as well as undermines their performance. This project targets establishing relations between synthesis conditions, microstructure, and scintillation performance of rare earth doped oxide ceramics, aiming at achieving predictive capabilities to support the fabrication of ceramic scintillators with superior performance.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 1207080.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.