Perovskite Scintillator Research Articles

Boosting β-ray detection

An article in Nature Communications reports a 2D halide perovskite scintillator for the detection of β-rays and nuclear leakage.

Low-dose real-time X-ray imaging with nontoxic double perovskite scintillators

X-rays are widely used in probing inside information nondestructively, enabling broad applications in the medical radiography and electronic industries. X-ray imaging based on emerging lead halide perovskite scintillators has received extensive attention recently. However, the strong self-absorption, relatively low light yield and lead toxicity of these perovskites restrict their practical applications. Here, we report a series of nontoxic double-perovskite scintillators of Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4In1-yBiyCl6. By controlling the content of the heavy atom Bi3+, the X-ray absorption coefficient, radiative emission efficiency, light yield and light decay were manipulated to maximise the scintillator performance. A light yield of up to 39,000 ± 7000 photons/MeV for Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4In0.85Bi0.15Cl6 was obtained, which is much higher than that for the previously reported lead halide perovskite colloidal CsPbBr3 (21,000 photons/MeV). The large Stokes shift between the radioluminescence (RL) and absorption spectra benefiting from self-trapped excitons (STEs) led to a negligible self-absorption effect. Given the high light output and fast light decay of this scintillator, static X-ray imaging was attained under an extremely low dose of ∼1 μGyair, and dynamic X-ray imaging of finger bending without a ghosting effect was demonstrated under a low-dose rate of 47.2 μGyair s−1. After thermal treatment at 85 °C for 50 h followed by X-ray irradiation for 50 h in ambient air, the scintillator performance in terms of the RL intensity and X-ray image quality remained almost unchanged. Our results shed light on exploring highly competitive scintillators beyond the scope of lead halide perovskites, not only for avoiding toxicity but also for better performance.

Lithium-doped two-dimensional perovskite scintillator for wide-range radiation detection

Two-dimensional lead halide perovskites have demonstrated their potential as high-performance scintillators for X- and gamma-ray detection, while also being low-cost. Here we adopt lithium chemical doping in two-dimensional phenethylammonium lead bromide (PEA)2PbBr4 perovskite crystals to improve the properties and add functionalities with other radiation detections. Li doping is confirmed by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and the scintillation mechanisms are explored via temperature dependent X-ray and thermoluminescence measurements. Our 1:1 Li-doped (PEA)2PbBr4 demonstrates a fast decay time of 11 ns (80%), a clear photopeak with an energy resolution of 12.4%, and a scintillation yield of 11,000 photons per MeV under 662 keV gamma-ray radiation. Additionally, our Li-doped crystal shows a clear alpha particle/gamma-ray discrimination and promising thermal neutron detection through 6Li enrichment. X-ray imaging pictures with (PEA)2PbBr4 are also presented. All results demonstrate the potential of Li-doped (PEA)2PbBr4 as a versatile scintillator covering a wide radiation energy range for various applications.

Preparation of Lead-free Two-Dimensional-Layered (C8H17NH3)2SnBr4 Perovskite Scintillators and Their Application in X-ray Imaging.

Scintillators, as spectral and energy transformers, are essential for X-ray imaging applications. However, their current disadvantages, including high-temperature sintering and generation of agglomerated powders or large bulk crystals, may not meet the increasing demands of low cost, nontoxicity, and flexible radiation detection. Thus, improved perovskite scintillators are developed in this research. A hybrid perovskite ((C8H17NH3)2SnBr4), which is nontoxic, lead-free, and organic-inorganic, is developed as a scintillator with good emission performance and radioluminescence intensity. These perovskite scintillators are synthesized at low temperatures in an aqueous acid solution, through which they generate a near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield of 98% with the excitation of ultraviolet light. As far as we know, this work is the first to show that the two-dimensional (2D) (C8H17NH3)2SnBr4 perovskite scintillator films prepared by coating a polymer layer can be applied to an X-ray imaging system. The results demonstrate that the low cost X-ray imaging device with good resolution and performance benefits dramatically from this lead-free organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite film. Therefore, this 2D-layered (C8H17NH3)2SnBr4 perovskite scintillator may be a high potential candidate for scintillating material for X-ray imaging techniques.

Shining Emitter in a Stable Host: Design of Halide Perovskite Scintillators for X-ray Imaging from Commercial Concept.

Halide perovskite (HP) nanocrystals (NCs) have recently shown great potential for X-ray detection and imaging. However, the practical application still has a long way to go with many technical requirements waiting to be fulfilled, including structure optimization, stability enhancement, and cost reduction. A design principle in this beginning stage is urgently needed but still lacking. Herein, with an "emitter-in-matrix" principle refined from commercial scintillators, CsPbBr3@Cs4PbBr6 with emissive CsPbBr3 NCs embedded inside a solid-state Cs4PbBr6 host is subjected to X-ray sensing and imaging. The Cs4PbBr6 matrix not only enhances the attenuation of X-rays but also dramatically improves the stability of CsPbBr3 NCs. A favorable optical design with the Cs4PbBr6 matrix being transparent to the emission from CsPbBr3 NCs enables efficient light output. As a result, stable and sensitive scintillation response to X-ray signals is demonstrated with superior linearity and ultrahigh time resolution. In order to show the huge potential for practical applications, X-ray imaging using a large-area film (360 mm × 240 mm) by the blade-coating technique is carried out to obtain a high-quality image of interior structures invisible to the human eye. In addition to the above advantages in optics, CsPbBr3@Cs4PbBr6 also enjoys facile solution synthesis with large scalability, excellent repeatability, and low cost.

Lead-Free Halide Rb2 CuBr3 as Sensitive X-Ray Scintillator.

Scintillators are widely utilized for radiation detections in many fields, such as nondestructive inspection, medical imaging, and space exploration. Lead halide perovskite scintillators have recently received extensive research attention owing to their tunable emission wavelength, low detection limit, and ease of fabrication. However, the low light yields toward X-ray irradiation and the lead toxicity of these perovskites severely restricts their practical application. A novel lead-free halide is presented, namely Rb2 CuBr3 , as a scintillator with exceptionally high light yield. Rb2 CuBr3 exhibits a 1D crystal structure and enjoys strong carrier confinement and near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield (98.6%) in violet emission. The high photoluminescence quantum yield combined with negligible self-absorption from self-trapped exciton emission and strong X-ray absorption capability enables a record high light yield of ≈91056 photons per MeV among perovskite and relative scintillators. Overall, Rb2 CuBr3 provides nontoxicity, high radioluminescence intensity, and good stability, thus laying good foundations for potential application in low-dose radiography.

Inorganic, Organic, and Perovskite Halides with Nanotechnology for High–Light Yield X- and γ-ray Scintillators

Trends in scintillators that are used in many applications, such as medical imaging, security, oil-logging, high energy physics and non-destructive inspections are reviewed. First, we address traditional inorganic and organic scintillators with respect of limitation in the scintillation light yields and lifetimes. The combination of high–light yield and fast response can be found in Ce 3 + , Pr 3 + and Nd 3 + lanthanide-doped scintillators while the maximum light yield conversion of 100,000 photons/MeV can be found in Eu 3 + doped SrI 2 . However, the fabrication of those lanthanide-doped scintillators is inefficient and expensive as it requires high-temperature furnaces. A self-grown single crystal using solution processes is already introduced in perovskite photovoltaic technology and it can be the key for low-cost scintillators. A novel class of materials in scintillation includes lead halide perovskites. These materials were explored decades ago due to the large X-ray absorption cross section. However, lately lead halide perovskites have become a focus of interest due to recently reported very high photoluminescence quantum yield and light yield conversion at low temperatures. In principle, 150,000–300,000 photons/MeV light yields can be proportional to the small energy bandgap of these materials, which is below 2 eV. Finally, we discuss the extraction efficiency improvements through the fabrication of the nanostructure in scintillators, which can be implemented in perovskite materials. The recent technology involving quantum dots and nanocrystals may also improve light conversion in perovskite scintillators.

Technology Update: Tool Enables Complete Cased-Hole Formation Evaluation, Reservoir Saturation Modeling

Technology Update For more than 40 years, the industry has used pulsed neutron logging to determine hydrocarbon and water saturations behind casing for reservoir management. Multiphase saturation measurements over time are useful for tracking reservoir depletion, planning workover and enhanced recovery strategies, and diagnosing production problems such as water influx and injection fluid breakthrough. Cased-hole logs also serve as a contingency when openhole logs cannot be run or are not considered for reservoir characterization. Although the cased-hole measurement suite has been greatly improved over many tool generations, the intrinsic physical measurements remained unchanged, which meant that operators could not obtain a complete picture of the rock and fluids behind casing. Input from openhole logs was required from a porosity or bulk density measurement for combination with the neutron porosity. Absent this input, primary formation evaluation in cased wellbores can be ambiguous. An additional challenge with cased-hole logging is correctly compensating for the effects of borehole fluids and the presence of completion hardware. Next-Generation Logs To meet the need for accurate surveillance in cased holes, Schlumberger recently introduced the Pulsar multifunction spectroscopy system. The system builds on innovative technologies originated by the company to provide the first complete cased-hole formation evaluation and reservoir saturation monitoring capability with openhole-equivalent measurements. This next generation in pulsed neutron logging integrates multiple detectors and a high-output pulsed neutron generator (PNG) to significantly improve measurement precision, data acquisition accuracy, and logging speed. The measurements are complemented by powerful algorithms that compensate for variation in the borehole fluids and completion in delivering robust, representative answers in complex conditions. The PNG and four detectors are housed in a 1.72-in.-outside-diameter (OD) tool that is designed for through-tubing access and logging through most completion restrictions. The detector adjacent to the PNG is the compact neutron monitor, which is primarily sensitive to fast neutrons to provide accurate and precise output measurement. There are three scintillation gamma-ray detectors for near, far, and deep detection. The near and far detectors use cerium-doped lanthanum bromide (LaBr3:Ce) scintillators, and the deep detector, farthest spaced from the PNG, has an yttrium aluminum perovskite scintillator. The three gamma-ray detectors are coupled to high-temperature-rated photomultiplier tubes, and their pulses are counted with specialized electronics matched to the high rate and resolution of the LaBr3:Ce scintillators.

Intrinsic defects, nonstoichiometry, and aliovalent doping of ABO perovskite scintillators

Abstractauthoren We have employed a range of atomistic simulation methods to explore aspects of defect chemistry in ABO (where A= Ba or Sr, and B= Zr or Hf) perovskites, placing emphasis on processes relevant for application of these materials as high performance scintillators. Specifically, we examined intrinsic defect reactions, A and B excess nonstoichiometry and the solution of Me rare earth cations. As has been predicted in previous studies, we find that Schottky disorder is the lowest energy intrinsic process. For nonstoichiometry, we predict that AO‐excess is compensated by oxygen vacancies and BO‐excess is charge compensated by A vacancies (see abstract figure). Finally, for Me solution, we considered several reactions for Me cations ranging in size from Lu to La, and the preferred reaction depends on the specific Me cation and whether or not phase separation occurs.Nonstoichiometry mechanisms in ABO perovskites. Red spheres correspond to O, blue to A, and green to B.

Fast scintillation detectors for high-energy X-ray region

We have developed fast scintillation detectors for nuclear resonant scattering experiments using synchrotron radiation and a nuclear excited level existing in >30 keV. A fast x-ray detector using an organic-inorganic perovskite scintillator of phenethylamine lead bromide (PhE-PbBr4) had a dominant light emission with a fast decay time of 9.9 ns. An x-ray detector equipped with a 0.9-mm-thick PhE-PbBr4 crystal (size: ∼8 × 7 mm2) was used to detect nuclear resonant scattering in 61Ni (the first excited level: 67.41 keV; half-life: 5.3 ns). We could successfully record the decaying gamma rays emitted from 61Ni with a relatively high detection efficiency of 24%. A lead-doped plastic scintillator (NE142, Pb ∼5 wt% doped) had been known to have a faster decay time of 1.7 ns. Following a test of a single NE142 detector, a four-channel NE142 detector was fabricated and successfully applied to the synchrotron-radiation based Mossbauer spectroscopy experiment on 61Ni.

Investigation on new scintillators for subnanosecond time-resolved x-ray measurements

We investigated new x-ray detectors for nuclear resonant scattering measurements with high energy x rays. The organic-inorganic perovskite scintillator of phenethylamine lead halide ((C6H5C2H4NH3)2PbX4) (X:Br, I) was used. These compounds have fast light emission due to an exciton. They include heavy atoms, which make the detector to have high efficiency to high energy x rays. The merit of these scintillators is that we can make a thick crystal compared to a Si wafer which is used in an avalanche photo-diode detector. We successfully measured 67.41 keV x ray signals, the energy of 61Ni nuclear resonant scattering, with high detection efficiency of 42.5 % by the scintillator.

A γ-ray detector with a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) readout for neutron diffraction experiments at spallation neutron sources

Standard detectors for neutron diffraction experiments are typically 3He filled proportional counters. Indeed, in the near future the 3He availability will be greatly reduced, so the R&D activity on alternative neutron counters is a very important issue to be addressed. Scintillator detectors could be considered as one of these alternatives. In this context, a prototype thermal neutron counter composed of a yttrium–aluminium–perovskite scintillator crystal coupled to a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and a standard photomultiplier tube (PMT) was used in time of flight neutron diffraction experiments on the INES spectrometer at the ISIS spallation neutron source. Neutron detection was realized by attaching the crystal to a natural cadmium sheet, used as a (n, γ) converter. Results show that the SiPM-based readout detection system has promising performances with respect to that based on a standard PMT. Diffraction patterns recorded with the 3He tubes' neutron counters in use on INES allowed a comparative assessment of the SiPM-based device for time of flight neutron diffraction experiments, with respect to the standard detection technique.

Formula omitted]-Ray background sources in the VESUVIO spectrometer at ISIS spallation neutron source

An investigation of the gamma background was carried out in the VESUVIO spectrometer at the ISIS spallation neutron source. This study, performed with a yttrium–aluminum–perovskite (YAP) scintillator, follows high resolution pulse height measurements of the gamma background carried out on the same instrument with the use of a high-purity germanium detector. In this experimental work, a mapping of the gamma background was attempted, trying to find the spatial distribution and degree of directionality of the different contributions identified in the previous study. It is found that the gamma background at low times is highly directional and mostly due to the gamma rays generated in the moderator–decoupler system. The other contributions, consistently to the findings of a previous experiment, are identified as a nearly isotropic one due to neutron absorption in the walls of the experimental hall, and a directional one coming from the beam dump.

Subnanosecond time-resolved x-ray measurements using an organic-inorganic perovskite scintillator

We have developed a fast x-ray detector using an organic-inorganic perovskite scintillator of phenethylamine lead bromide (PhE-PbBr4). The scintillator had a dominant light emission with a fast decay time of 9.9 ns. An x-ray detector equipped with a 0.9-mm-thick PhE-PbBr4 crystal was used to detect nuclear resonant scattering in N61i (the first excited level: 67.41 keV; lifetime: 7.6 ns) by using synchrotron radiation. With this detector, we could successfully record the decaying gamma rays emitted from N61i with a time resolution of 0.7 ns (full width at half maximum) and a relatively high detection efficiency of 24%.

Comparison of Cadmium–Zinc–Telluride semiconductor and Yttrium–Aluminum–Perovskite scintillator as photon detectors for epithermal neutron spectroscopy

The range of applications of epithermal neutron scattering experiments has been recently extended by the development of the Resonance Detector. In a Resonance Detector, resonant neutron absorption in an analyzer foil results in prompt emission of X- and γ-rays which are detected by a photon counter. Several combinations of analyzer foils and photon detectors have been studied and tested over the years and best results have been obtained with the combination of a natural uranium and (i) Cadmium–Zinc–Telluride (CZT) semiconductor, (ii) Yttrium–Aluminum–Perovskite (YAP) scintillators. Here we compare the performance of the CZT semiconductor and YAP scintillator as Resonance Detector units. Two Resonance Detector prototypes made of natural uranium foil viewed by CZT and YAP were tested on the VESUVIO spectrometer at the ISIS spallation neutron source. The results show that both YAP and CZT can be used to detect epithermal neutrons in the energy range from 1 up to 66 eV. It was found that the signal-to-background ratio of the measurement can significantly be improved by raising the lower level discrimination threshold on the γ energy to about 600 keV. The advantages/disadvantages of the choice of a Resonance Detector based on YAP or CZT are discussed together with some potential applications.

Measuring the imaged-object distance with a stationary high-spatial-resolution scintillation camera

A method to measure the detector-to-object distance from the images obtained with stationary high-spatial-resolution gamma-ray cameras for in vivo studies has been developed. It exploits the shift of the imaged object in the image plane, obtained at a certain tilt of the parallel-hole collimator. A linear dependence of the image displacement on the distance to the object has been measured using a high-spatial-resolution scintillation camera employing an yttrium–aluminium perovskite (YAP) scintillator. It is shown that the modified YAP camera can be used to obtain three-dimensional information without moving the camera or the object. The method could be applied in scintimammography and radioguided surgery, in lymphoscintigraphy, as well as in the analysis of the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals.

Scintillation properties of LuAP and LuYAP crystals activated with Cerium and Molybdenum

Cerium and molybdenum-activated lutetium aluminum perovskite (LuAlO 3, LuAP) and mixed lutetium-yttrium aluminum perovskite (Lu x Y 1− x AlO 3, LuYAP) scintillator crystals have been grown by the Czochralski method at the Institute of Electronic Materials Technology (ITME, Warsaw). In this paper we report the measurements of scintillation light yields, absorption spectra, scintillation time profiles, low temperature thermoluminescence, and room temperature afterglow, performed on polished 2×2×10 mm 3 pixel samples cut from larger boules. We show that scintillation properties of the LuAP:Ce and LuAP:Ce,Mo crystals from ITME place them among the best crystals produced commercially.

Performance measurements of a high-spatial-resolution YAP camera

Physical properties of a position-sensitive camera for the analysis of biodistributions of gamma- and beta-emitting radiopharmaceuticals in small animals have been studied, in order to achieve optimal operating conditions. The camera consisted of a highly segmented yttrium-aluminate perovskite (YAP) scintillator, coupled to a position-sensitive photomultiplier. The energy resolution, the detection efficiency, the spatial resolution, the spatial linearity and the count-rate linearity of the YAP camera have been determined. Images related to initial activity levels and successive biodistribution evolution in mice organs are presented as an illustration of the camera performance.

Recent developments of the e.VERDI project at ISIS

Epithermal neutrons are unique probes for deep inelastic neutron scattering (DINS) at high-energy and high-momentum transfer and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) at high-energy and low-wave vector transfers. In the latter case the kinematic range has recently been revisited given that the high values of initial and final wave vectors achievable in a scattering process coupled to small scattering angles allow to access a so far unexplored region in q, ω, i.e ω>1 eV and q<10 Å −1. In order to exploit DINS and INS in the high-energy and low-momentum range, a very low angle detector (VLAD) bank will be delivered within the e.VERDI Project together with a novel bank at intermediate scattering angles. The former will provide a new tool for investigating high-energy excitations in magnetic systems and semiconductors. The VLAD bank will be constructed following the concept of a resonance detector (RD) spectrometer, recently revised for DINS experiments in the range 1–100 eV.This is a more promising approach in terms of efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio compared to standard neutron counting techniques at eV energies. Results from two devices, cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) solid-state detectors and YAlO 3 perovskite (YAP) scintillators used in RD configurations, will be presented.

Growth and properties of Ce3+-doped Lux(RE3+)1−xAP scintillators

Various methods of crystal growth of Ce3+-doped Lux(RE3+)1−xAlO3 heavy and fast perovskite scintillators (Lux(RE3+)1−xAP:Ce) are described and discussed (Czochralski, EFG and Bridgman–Stockbarger ones). Structural, spectroscopic and scintillation properties of these crystals are reviewed. Possible use and applications of these scintillators for hybrid photodetectors and γ-camera medical imaging are shortly discussed.