Characterizations of a Hot-Pressed Polycrystalline Spinel:Ce Scintillator

Here, we report a new polycrystalline ceramic scintillator for possible use in gamma-ray detection and medical imaging applications. The goal was to develop a cerium-doped spinel (MgAl(2)O(4):Ce), which can be processed utilizing ceramic forming techniques. High-purity MgAl(2)O(4) powders were used as the starting materials. Lithium fluoride (LiF) was used as a sintering aid and CeO(2) powder was used as the dopant. The mixed and dried powders were hot pressed in a vacuum environment to achieve high-density MgAl(2)O(4):Ce. The hot-pressed sample shows a transparent polycrystalline appearance. In-line transmission was measured to determine the transparency of the structure. Microstructures were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Fluorescence absorption and emission peaks were also measured in addition to the decay time measurement.