EXTENSIVE STUDIES ON CEF3 CRYSTALS, A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC CALORIMETRY AT FUTURE ACCELERATORS

In the framework of its search for new heavy, fast and radiation hard scintillators for calorimetry at future colliders, the Crystal Clear C ollaboration performed a systematic investigation of the properties an d of the scintillation and radiation damage mechanisms of CeF3 monocry stals. Many samples of various dimensions up to 3 x 3 x 28 cm(3) were produced by industry and characterised in the laboratories by differen t methods such as: optical transmission, light yield and decay time me asurements, excitation and emission spectra, gamma and neutron irradia tions. The results of these measurements are discussed. The measured l ight yield is compared to the theoretical expectations. Tests in high energy electron beams on a crystal matrix were also performed. The sui tability of CeF3 for calorimetry at high rate machines is confirmed. P roduction and economical considerations are discussed.