SBIR-STTR Award

Improvements over existing scintillators, in light output, gamma ray detection efficiency, and fast decay times for their scintillation light, has been of interest to the nuclear physics, high energy physics, nuclear medicine (especially PET) and astrophysics communities. New detector approaches for enhancing the performance and reducing the cost of gamma ray imaging systems is also of great interest. This project will develop a detector system which utilizes a new scintillator coupled to a photosensitive wire chamber (PWC). Significant improvements in the production of very pure, high quality LaF3:Nd allow for an extremely fast scintillator with moderate light output and density. The PWC will use CsI photocathodes for a matching detector which has high quantum yield with LaF3, 2-3 mm positional resolution, and is significantly less expensive than phototube-based gamma ray imaging detectors in use today. Phase I includes reducing contaminants in the LaF3, optimizing Nd doping levels, and optimizing light collection/transmission for maximum light yield. Phase II, will construct a LaF3:Nd-CsI photocathode PWC and its complimentary electronics. Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: This project will result in a gamma ray imaging system which mates a new fast, dense, rugged scintillator with good light output to a 2D position sensitive wire chamber, offering high quantum efficiency for the light produced in the crystal. The approach should offer the physics and astrophysics research communities, as well as the non-destructive industrial imaging community, a substantial improvement in detector technology at a relatively low cost.