Compound crystals and plastic scintillators
Compound scintillators


The Gamma Technical Corporation offers wide range of plastic and inorganic crystal scintillator materials. Our scintillators are available with diameters between 0.25" to 5" and thicknesses up to 12". Well-type and transversely bored crystals are designed according to the costumer's wish. The container canister could have rectangular and cylindrical shapes with grooved or flanged endcaps, as well. To applications in mixed radiation field, layered (sandwich) scintillators with α, β, n and γ sensitivity are produced. Unique scintillators according to special customer requirements are also welcome.

Sodium-iodide scintillators

Widely known inorganic scintillator crystal material is thallium activated sodium-iodide (NaI:Tl). Its light yield in case of incident γ-photons has an average value of 39 photons/keV, which provides the reference point for other scintillators. The primary decay time has a value of 0.25 μs at room temperature. Slowly elevating the ambient temperature (max. 20 °C/hour) to avoid crystal damages due to thermal shock, NaI:Tl is able to operate even at 150°C. Sodium-iodide scintillators are commonly applied in medical, nuclear, scientific, industrial and militarian measurement facilities. Depending on the geometry, size, mortise and further properties, several application opportunities are available. Beside high energetic γ-particles, measurements of Röntgen and Mössbauer radiation could be also performed using especially thin crystals. Combining NaI with additional scintillating and converter materials (PVT plastic, ZnS:Ag, boronpolyester, etc.) allows the detection of other particles, such as n, α and β.

Cesium-iodide scintillators

Thallium and sodium doped cesium-iodide (CsI:Tl, CsI:Na) crystal detectors are almost applied for γ-ray measurements. The obtainable light yield values are 54 photons/keV and 41 photons/keV for the two subtypes. The primary decay time of scintillation with thallium and sodium doping are 1 μs and 0.6 μs. Beneficial property of monocrystalline CsI againts NaI is its weaker hygroscopic material and mechanical stress standing structure. As is case of NaI crystals, CsI scintillators may be delivered with several specific geometries, sizes and constructions.

BGO scintillators

BGO scintillator crystals have a light yield value of ~10 photons/keV what is the about the one-fourth of the value obtained with NaI:Tl detectors. Beneficial properties of BGO are its non-higroscopic material and its crystal structure without cleavage planes; therefore it may have several geometries and encapsulations. The primary decay time is near to the value of that of NaI crystals, 0.3 μs. BGO is one of the most stable radiation standing scintillator materials, thereby its application is also recommended for measurements in strongly irradiated test environments up to maximum 10 Gray doses.

Lanthanum bromide (LaBr3:Ce) scintillators

Lanthanum bromide is highly recommended scintillator crystal for measurements where high energy resolution is an important factor. Due to its fast primary decay time of 16 ns and high light yield of 160 photons/keV, LaBr3:Ce is a really suitable detector for such applications. Its material is higroscopic, thus the proper isolating encapsulation of the crystal is neecessary.

Calcium-fluoride (CaF2:Eu) scintillators

Calcium-fluoride is a non-hygroscopic material which is commonly applied in optics, spectroscopy, laser techniques and imaging. With europium activator it is proper scintillator for charged particle and higher energetic gamma ray detection. Its light yield for gamma particles is ~19 photons/keV and the primary decay time is at 0.9 μs. Due to its mechanically and thermally stable material, CaF2 could be prepared in several geometrical forms.

PVT plastic

We offer polyvinyl toluene plastic scintillators for general purposes. PVT scintillators are able to detect different radiations, such as proton, β and γ. Applying silver activated zinc-sulphide layer on the surface of the plastic scintillator it is possible to measure α-particles. Incorporation lithium-6 or boron-10 together with the zinc-sulfide layer, α-particles and secondary heavy charged nuclei after thermal neutron irradiation could be also detected.

Zinc-sulphide (ZnS:Ag) scintillators

Zinc-sulphide is commoly applyied for α-particle detection. Incorporation lithium-6 or boron-10 together with the zinc-sulfide, α-particles and secondary heavy charged nuclei after thermal neutron irradiation could be also detected. Fast neutron detection with Zn:S scintillator is based on proton recoil effect in hydrogen rich material or it could be performed by neutron thermalization in plastic and capture of secondary charged particles.