CERIUM-CONTAINING GLASSES FOR FAST SCINTILLATORS

Electromagnetic calorimetry requires fast and dense scintillators, suc h as CeF3. Glasses offer an attractive alternative because their synth esis is easier. Glass formation has been investigated in NaPO3-CeF3-MF 2 (M=Zn, Cd, Ba, Pb) ternary systems. CeF3 concentration could reach 3 5 mol.%, but this content should be smaller to obtain large bulk sampl es free of crystals. The influence of composition on glass stability t o devitrification was systematically investigated Composition adjustme nts have been implemented in order to increase the stability of glasse s containing 35 mol.% CeF3. Scintillation emission wavelength is 370 n m and the scintillation lifetime is 30 ns. Light yield of a 25 mol.% C eF3-containing glass (e.g. 45 NaPO3-30 BaF2-25 CeF3) reaches 60% of th at of crystalline CeF3. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.