High-light-output scintillator for photodiode readout: $LuI3:Ce3+$ Available to Purchase

In this paper, we investigated the scintillation properties of $LuI3:Ce3+$⁠. Radioluminescence, light output, energy resolution, and $γ$-scintillation decay are reported. We find an extremely high light output of $98000±10000photons∕MeV$⁠. $LuI3:Ce3+$ also gives a very high electron-hole (e-h) pair response when it is coupled with an avalanche photodiode (APD) $(92000±9000e‐hpairs∕MeV)$⁠. With an APD, a best energy resolution (full width at half maximum over the peak position) of $3.3%±0.3%$ for $662keV$ $γ$ quanta is observed. A combination of an extremely high light output and a good energy resolution makes $LuI3:Ce3+$ an ideal scintillator for radiation sensor applications. Some drawbacks due to the hygroscopicity and the difficult growth of $LuI3:Ce3+$ crystals are also discussed.