Rare earth oxysulfide scintillator and methods for producing same

Abstract

A method of producing a rare earth oxysulfide scintillating ceramic body includes heat treatment to form a consolidated body, followed by gas hot isostatic pressing (GHIPing). A powder is first provided having the general formula (M1-xLnx)2O2S, wherein M is a rare earth element, and Ln is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Eu, Ce, Pr, Tb, Yb, Dy, Sm, and Ho, and 1×10−6<X<2×10−1. The powder is heat treated to form a consolidated body having closed porosity, wherein heat treating is carried out at a temperature Tht. The consolidated body is GHIPed to a density not less than 99% of theoretical density, in a GHIPing environment having a temperature Thip, where 1100° C.<Thip<1500° C., to thereby form a densified body.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.