The scintillation properties of CeBr3−xClx single crystals

We present a study of mixed halide single crystal scintillators with the general formula CeBr3−xClx, where 0≤x≤3. Single crystals with various bromine–chlorine ratios were grown by the Bridgman method, and their scintillation properties were investigated. Under X-ray irradiation, the peak emission ranged between 350 and 450nm. The absolute light yield ranged between 44,000 and 60,000 photons/MeV under 137Cs gamma-ray irradiation. The energy resolution at 662keV was between 4.6% and 5.0%. The major scintillation decay time was less than 17ns, and slightly increased with higher chlorine to bromide ratio. The X-ray diffraction indicated that the lattice constants decreased with higher chlorine content. A moisture absorption study showed that higher chlorine content can greatly decrease the hygroscopicity. •CeBr3−xClx (0≤x≤3) single crystals were grown by the Bridgman method.•Compared with highly hygroscopic CeBr3, the mixed bromine–chlorine crystals exhibit significantly lower hygroscopicity.•The photoluminescence emission peak shifts to shorter wavelength with increasing chlorine content.•The scintillation light yield decreases and scintillation decay increases gradually with increasing chlorine content.