LuI3:Ce-a new scintillator for gamma ray spectroscopy

In this paper, we report on a new cerium doped, high atomic number scintillator, LuI3:Ce, for gamma ray spectroscopy. Crystals of this material have been grown using Bridgman process. LuI3 crystals doped with 0.5 and 5 percent Ce3+ show high light output ({approx}50,000 photons/MeV) and fast principal decay constant (23 to 31 ns). The Ce3+ emission peaks at 474 nm. Energy resolution of LuI3:Ce coupled to photomultiplier tube (PMT) and measured at 662 keV was {approx}11 percent [full-width at half-maximum (FWHM)]. Timing resolution of LuI3-PMT and BaF2-PMT detectors operating in coincidence mode was measured to be 210 ps (FWHM). Potential applications of this scintillator are discussed.