Novel doping concepts in oxide-based single crystal scintillators

Scintillation materials transform the energy of ionizing radiation, accelerated charged particles or neutrons to visible, UV or VUV photons, which are further detected by a photodiode or photomultiplier. The aims of this project are the introduction of the micro-pulling-down crystal growth method (unknown in the Czech Republic so far) for growth of optical crystals in the Institute of Physics, and preparation and optimization of parameters of material systems based on the aluminium garnet for gamma ray detection by divalent ion codoping and employing the fast Ce3+ or Pr3+ 5d-4f luminescence. Another part will be focused on development of new material systems for thermal neutron detection based on the LiAlO2 crystals, which exploit the nuclear reaction of neutrons with 6Li nuclei and which will be doped with 5s2 luminescence ions such as In+ or Sn2+. Practical parameters and fundamental physical processes of energy transfer and storage will be investigated. The research will be supported by collaboration with Tohoku University, Japan,where the applicant had been appointed.