Scintillation properties of pure and Ce3+-doped SrF2 crystals

In this paper results of scintillation properties measurements of pure and Ce3+-doped strontium fluoride crystals are presented. We measure light output, scintillation decay time profile and temperature stability of light output. X-ray excited luminescence outputs corrected for spectral response of monochromator and photomultiplier for pure SrF2 and SrF2-0.3 mol% Ce3+ are approximately 95% and 115% of NaI–Tl emission output, respectively. A photopeak with a 10% full width at half maximum is observed at approximately 84% the light output of a NaI–Tl crystal after correction for spectral response of photomultiplier, when sample 10 × 10 mm of pure SrF2 crystal is excited with 662 keV photons. Corrected light output of SrF2-0.3 mol% Ce3+ under 662 keV photon excitation is found at approximately 64% the light output of the NaI–Tl crystal.

► Scintillation properties of oxygen-free SrF2–Ce crystals were measured. ► Light output of SrF2 is 85% of the NaI–Tl output. ► Light output of SrF2–Ce is 115% of the NaI–Tl output. ► Crystals SrF2-0.3 mol% Ce3+ can be applied in well-logging scintillation detectors. ► Strontium fluoride crystals would be useful as newly perspective scintillator.