Scintillator crystals, method for making same, use thereof

A scintillation detector comprising:

• an inorganic scintillating material comprising M, Ce, and Cl wherein M is selected from the group consisting of the lanthanides, Y, and combinations thereof, and M is partially substituted by Ce, a molar level of substitution of M by Ce being greater than or equal to 1 mol % and less than 100 mol %;
• and
• a photodetector coupled to said inorganic scintillating material.

The scintillation detector as claimed in claim SO, wherein the inorganic scintillating material consists of M1−xCexCl3 where x is the molar level of substitution of M by Ce.

A method of generating a fast scintillation component with an emission intensity greater than 4000 ph/Mev, comprising:

• exposing to radiation an inorganic scintillating material comprising M, Ce and Cl wherein M is selected from the elements or the mixtures of elements of the group of the lanthanides and Y, and M is partially substituted by Ce, a molar level of substitution of M by Ce being greater than or equal to 1 mol % and less than 100 mol %,
• emitting light from said inorganic scintillating material in response to said exposing,
• wherein said emitted light has a fast scintillation component having has an emission intensity greater than 4000 ph/Mev.

A method of increasing the emission intensity of a fast scintillation component of an inorganic scintillating material when exposed to radiation to at least 4000 ph/Mev, said method comprising combining M, Ce and Cl to form an inorganic scintillating material, wherein M is selected from the elements or the mixtures of elements of the group of the lanthanides and Y, and wherein the molar level of Ce present in the inorganic scintillating material is greater than or equal to 1 mol % and less than 100 mol %.

A scintillation detector configured to generate a fast scintillation component with an emission intensity greater than 4000 ph/Mev, said scintillation detector comprising:

• means for exposing to radiation an inorganic scintillating material comprising M, Ce and Cl wherein M is selected from the elements or the mixtures of elements of the group of the lanthanides and Y, and M is partially substituted by Ce, a molar level of substitution of M by Ce being greater than or equal to 1 mol % and less than 100 mol %, and
• means for emitting light from said inorganic scintillating material in response to said exposing,
• wherein said emitted light has a fast scintillation component having has an emission intensity greater than 4000 ph/Mev.