Scintillation crystal, a radiation detection system including the scintillation crystal, and a method of using the radiation detection system

A method, comprising:

• placing into a crucible precursors including:
• a rare earth halide precursor;
• and
• a dopant precursor that includes a strontium halide, a barium halide, or any combination thereof;
• melting the precursors to form a melt;
• and
• forming a scintillation crystal from the melt, wherein the scintillation crystal comprises La(1-y)REyX3:Me2+, wherein:
• RE represents a rare earth element other than La;
• y has a value in a range of 0 to 0.5;
• X represents a halogen;
• and
• Me2+ represents Sr, Ba, or any mixture thereof and has a concentration in a range of 0.0002 wt. % to 0.05 wt. %.

A method, comprising:

• placing precursors into a crucible;
• melting the precursors to form a melt;
• contacting the melt with a seed crystal;
• and
• using the seed crystal to form a scintillation crystal from the melt, wherein the scintillation crystal comprises La(1-y)REyX3:Me2+, wherein:
• RE represents a rare earth element other than La;
• y has a value in a range of 0 to 0.5;
• X represents a halogen;
• and
• Me2+ represents Sr, Ba, or any mixture thereof and has a concentration in a range of 0.0002 wt. % to 0.05 wt. %.