Radiation damage of strontium iodide crystals due to irradiation by 137Cs gamma rays: A novel approach to altering nonproportionality

Strontium iodide doped with europium (SrI2:Eu2+) is a new scintillator being developed for use in high-energy astrophysical detectors with excellent energy resolution. Nonproportionality is the primary limiting factor to improving its energy resolution, although the physics of nonproportionality is not yet fully understood. In the past few years, co-dopants have been used to alter nonproportionality. By irradiating a SrI2:Eu2+ sample with a 2255 Ci 137Cs source, we explore both the crystal's potential for space-based applications in a radiation environment and this new method of altering nonproportionality. At ~6200 Gy irradiation, a drop of 7.8% at 700 nm and a drop of 14.1% at 450 nm were seen in the transmission spectrum. Nonproportionality was also reduced after irradiation, shifting from 87% to 101% of the theoretical light yield at 32.1 keV, while the 4.7 keV peak decreased 40% closer to its theoretical value. We propose a novel method of altering the nonproportionality of scintillators, using radiation-induced F-centers in place of co-dopants.