A. Lempicki et al., FUNDAMENTAL LIMITS OF SCINTILLATOR PERFORMANCE, Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment, 333(2-3), 1993, pp. 304-311
In this paper we consider the basic physical processes involved in the
scintillation process and discuss the limitations imposed on two impo
rtant performance parameters, namely efficiency (light output) and spe
ed. Light output is determined by the product of efficiencies of energ
y conversion, energy transfer and luminescence processes. We propose a
procedure by which these partial efficiencies can be obtained for any
scintillator and use it to evaluate some known materials. Limits of s
peed are set by the value of the Einstein coefficient A for the lumine
scent emission and by transfer rates. The singular significance of the
transfer step is illustrated by some Ce-based scintillators. A figure
of merit and an ''efficiency-speed'' diagram are introduced in order
to compare different scintillators.