Rare-earth materials, scintillator crystals, and ruggedized scintillator devices incorporating such crystals
AssigneeSaint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
InventorsPeter R. Menge, Lance J. Wilson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rare-earth halide material comprising a first surface region having a first surface roughness (Rrms1) and a second surface region having a second surface roughness (Rrms2), wherein the first surface roughness value is at least about 10% less than the second surface roughness value, wherein surface roughness is measured using scanning white light interferometry over an area of 1 mm2.
Claims44
A rare-earth halide material comprising a first surface region having a first surface roughness (Rrms1) and a second surface region having a second surface roughness (Rrms2), wherein the first surface roughness value is at least about 10% less than the second surface roughness value, wherein surface roughness is measured using scanning white light interferometry over an area of 1 mm2.
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A scintillator crystal comprising:
- a scintillator crystal body comprising a rare-earth halide material and having a hexagonal crystal structure, the scintillator crystal body further comprising a surface region having a surface roughness (Rrms1) within a range between about 1 micron and about 10 microns, wherein surface roughness is measured using scanning white light interferometry over an area of 1 mm2.
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A scintillator device comprising:
- a housing;
- a scintillator crystal contained within the housing, wherein the scintillator crystal comprises a hexagonal crystal structure and a surface area:volume (SA:V) ratio of not greater than about 1, wherein the surface area and volume are measured in centimeters;
- and
- a sleeve surrounding a portion of the scintillator crystal and exerting a radially compressive pressure on the scintillator crystal, wherein the scintillator crystal withstands a cooling rate of at least about 2° C./min over a temperature range of not greater than about 200° C. to an ambient temperature without cracking
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.