Characterization of CsSrCl₃:Ce crystalline scintillator

We report on the photoluminescence and scintillation characterizations of a new CsSrCl₃:Ce (0.5 mol%) crystalline scintillator grown by the vertical Bridgman method. The fluorescence quantum efficiency (QE) for the Ce³⁺ 5d-4f allowed transitions at around 365-425 nm was 90% under excitation of 315 nm light. The photoluminescence decay time of Ce³⁺ was approximately 28 ns. When X-rays excited the crystal, intense emission bands were observed at 350-400 nm, which could be attributed to the Ce³⁺ characteristic emission. The scintillation light yield of the developed crystal was ~8600 photons/MeV compared with a NaI:Tl commercial scintillator, and the principal scintillation decay time was approximately 626 ns plus two fast components of around 3.8 and 57 ns.