Reduction of afterglow of scintillators for electron detectors in SEM

The goal of the project is the extensive study of the cathodoluminescence kinetics especially of the fast scintillation materials. Methods for research of existing and looking for new scintillation materials that investigate allowed 5d-4f transitions in Ce activated oxide-based solids, will be developed and used. The project is motivated by an effort to analyse a bad decay of current scintillators resulting in a low contrast and a bad spatial resolution of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The investigation will take advantage of the experiences of the specialized laboratory, to obtain formerly inaccessible qualitatively new knowledge, which will allow designing superior electron detectors. These can be applied especially in the fast Everhart-Thornley detectors in the SEM. Moreover, the results obtained can be utilized for radiation detection in other facilities, where, in addition to good kinetic properties, high thermal and chemical resistances are required. The main result of the project will be the new methods, experimental device and software for the kinetics in solids.