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III-nitrides have fomented a revolution in the lighting industry and are poised to make a huge impact in the field of power electronics. In the III-nitride family, the crystal growth and use of hexagonal BN (h-BN) as an ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor are much less developed. Bulk crystals of h-BN produced by the high-temperature/high-pressure and the metal flux solution methods possess very high crystalline and optical qualities but are impractical to serve as substrates or for device implementation as their sizes are typically in millimeters. The development of crystal growth technologies for producing thick epitaxial films (or quasi-bulk or semi-bulk crystals) in large wafer sizes with high crystalline quality is a prerequisite for utilizing h-BN as an UWBG electronic material. Compared to traditional III-nitrides, BN has another unique application as solid-state neutron detectors, which however, also require the development of quasi-bulk crystals to provide high detection efficiencies because the theoretical efficiency (ηi) relates to the detector thickness (d) by η i = 1 − e − d λ , where λ denotes the thermal neutron absorption length which is 47 μm (237 μm) for 10B-enriched (natural) h-BN. We provide an overview and recent progress toward the development of h-BN quasi-bulk crystals via hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) growth and the attainment of thermal neutron detectors based on 100 μm thick 10B-enriched h-BN with a record efficiency of 60%. The thermal neutron detection efficiency was shown to enhance at elevated temperatures. Benchmarking the crystalline and optical qualities of h-BN quasi-bulk crystals with the state-of-the-art mm-sized bulk crystal flakes and 0.5 μm thick epitaxial films identified that reducing the density of native defects such as vacancies remains the most critical task for h-BN quasi-bulk crystal growth by HVPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual-energy imaging represents a versatile and evolving technology with wide-ranging applications in medicine and beyond. Recent technological developments increased the potential for improved diagnostic accuracy and expanded imaging capabilities across various fields. The purpose of this work is to design and develop an energy-integrating multilayer detector, known as a sandwich detector, aimed at single-shot dual-energy imaging tasks such as material discrimination and contrast cancellation. The sandwich detector uses two complementary metal oxide semiconductor advanced pixel sensors of 50 μm pixel size. The top and bottom sensors detect low-energy (LE) and high-energy (HE) photons, with sensors coupled with 250 and 600 μm scintillators, respectively. For better spectral separation between layers without excessively affecting the detected statistic in the bottom layer, the insertion of a 0.25-mm Cu filter between the layers was found to be the optimal choice, from among the tested 0-, 0.25-, and 0.5-mm filter options. The thickness selection for scintillator and intermediate Cu filter was carried out through a dual-energy simulation model. The experiments confirmed the model's reliability in selecting the optimal thicknesses of the intermediate Cu filter, thereby providing reassurance also on the choice of the top scintillator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of (Gd, Y, Yb, Tb, Ce)3Al2Ga3O12 compositionally disordered compounds with a garnet structure were prepared in the form of ceramics by sintering in oxygen at 1650 °C for 2 h and studied for the luminescent properties and interaction of ions entering the matrix host. The luminescence features of Ce3+ ions were found to be strongly dependent on the Yb concentration. Photoluminescence and scintillation kinetics are characterized by subnanosecond kinetics when the Yb index in the compound exceeds X = 0.3. It opens an opportunity to create an extremely fast and dense scintillation material emitting in a visible range. A further decrease in the Yb index in the compound leads to an increase in the intensity of Yb3+ infrared (IR) emission, whereas Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions contribute to the luminosity of the material by overlapping intra- and intereconfiguration luminescence bands in the spectral range of 300–700 nm. This finding opens an opportunity to create converter materials tolerant to the corpuscular radiation of isotope sources, providing a high efficiency of electric current production when coupled with a silicon photovoltaic element. The compounds were engineered at the nanoscale level, providing control over electronic excitation transfer between luminescent ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cd2+ cation doped CsPbCl3 single crystals were synthesized, and their luminescent properties were investigated under excitation with synchrotron radiation quanta with energy greater than Eg and at a sample temperature of 12 K. Pure single crystals exhibit a narrow band of exciton emission at 416.7 nm. Doping the single crystals leads to a high-energy shift of the excitonic luminescence, the appearance of new luminescent bands, the broadening of the luminescent bands, an increase in the decay time constants, and a significant enhancement of the luminescence intensity. The observed changes in luminescent parameters upon doping are discussed in terms of the crystal structure ordering, a decrease in the number of defects responsible for capturing charge carriers at the stage of electronic excitation thermalization, and a decrease in defects that quench excitonic luminescence. Doped single crystals with decay times of the order of 0.4 ns and intensities that significantly exceed the intensity of pure single crystals can be promising scintillation materials for positron emission tomography in the time-of-flight mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare‐earth element‐free materials that exhibit strong room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and X‐ray scintillation properties are gaining global interest incessantly in the recent years. This work reports a series of easily synthesizable cubane Cu4I4‐triarsenic clusters [Cu4I4(R3As)3L] (L = none or nitrile), that exhibit a strong yellow‐green RTP with quantum efficiencies up to 100% and short decay times (4.4–4.9 µs). The title cluster complexes display X‐ray scintillation properties with a record ultralow detection limit (18.1 nGy s−1) and a perfectly linear dose rate response within a remarkably wide dose rate window (0–640 µGyair s−1). The cluster [Cu4I4(Ph3As)3] is highlighted as an efficient phosphor for UV‐pumped white and yellow LED devices, demonstrating an excellent white spectrum with a CIE index of (0.32,0.33) and bright yellow emission, respectively. These results may stimulate the future efforts in designing highly efficient arsenic‐based RTP materials and enriching the Cu4I4 cluster family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the development of new scintillation materials with red and near-infrared light emission has had significant advantages based on the development of an avalanche photodiode with high quantum yield. This study used a hydrothermal method to synthesize rare-earth-doped Cs2NaScCl6 crystals, in which a red emission of Cs2NaScCl6:Sm was investigated with high X-ray sensitivity and low detection limit. In addition, a tunable wavelength range of radioluminescence can be achieved, in which a near-white light emission can be generated by precisely controlling the proportion of Sm3+ and Tb3+ doping concentrations. Meanwhile, a Cs2NaScCl6:7%Sm scintillation film has been successfully prepared by direct coating with a thickness of 150 μm, which achieves a spatial resolution of 11.9 lp mm−1 based on X-ray imaging experiments. Therefore, this perovskite material has shown potential application as an eco-friendly multifunctional imaging material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), particularly those that are highly doped, possess outstanding properties and have demonstrated tremendous application potential. However, novel fine-tuning strategies are urgently required to enhance the upconversion luminescence (UCL) performance of UCNPs. In this study, a series of core–multishell UCNPs highly doped with Ho3+ and Yb3+ ions were synthesized via the oleate route. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UCL spectra and decay times, and pump power dependency of the synthesized UCNPs were used to examine their morphology, size, and the UCL properties. Ce3+ ions were introduced to enhance Ho3+-based red UCL, and their doping strategy was also optimized based on summarized UCL trends and detailed UCL mechanism analysis. NaHoF 4 :Gd3+@NaGdF 4 :Yb3+,Ce3+@NaGdF 4 :Yb3+ UCNPs that had 10 mol% Ce3+ dopants in their middle shells exhibited better UCL properties than the larger traditional NaGdF 4 :Yb3+,Ce3+,Ho3+ UCNPs, probably because of the combined influence of the energy interactions between the Ce3+ ions and surface groups, sensitizing energy enhancement by active shells, and the positive cooperation between the Ce3+ ions and highly-doped core–shell structures. In this study, the phenomenon of UCL decrease resulting from Ce3+ ion doping was explored. Using unique core–multishell structures with highly-doped activators and sensitizers placed within and outside the structures, respectively, the UCL decrease due to Ce3+ ion doping was attributed to a competition for photons. Doping the UCNPs with Ce3+ ions near the UCNP surfaces favors Ho3+-based red UCL. Our study findings can deepen the understanding of the Ho3+-based UCL mechanisms and increase the potential uses of NaHoF 4 materials in photo-induced therapy. When Ce3+ ions are doped near the nanoparticle surface, they might have energy interactions with surface groups to relieve phonon energy shortage and thus enhance the efficiency of cross-relaxation between Ho3+ and Ce3+ ions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters featuring through‐space charge transfer (TSCT) can be excellent candidates for piezochromic luminescent (PCL) materials due to their structural dynamics. Spatial donor‐acceptor (D−A) stacking arrangements enable the modulation of inter‐ and intramolecular D−A interactions, as well as spatial charge transfer states, under varying pressure conditions. Herein, we demonstrate an effective approach toward dynamic reversible full‐color PCL materials with TSCT‐TADF characteristics. Their single crystals exhibit a full‐color‐gamut PCL process spanning a range of 170 nm. Moreover, the TSCT‐TADF‐PCL emitters display a unity photoluminescence quantum yield, and show promising application in X‐ray scintillator imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a long time, single crystals of the organic compound TPB (1,3,5-triphenylbenzene) have been viewed as a scintillator material for indirect X-ray detection. We here attempt to explore their potential for direct detection. A TPB single crystal with a size of up to 20 × 6 × 4 mm3 and without obvious growth steps was obtained using a solvent volatilization method. It has an orthorhombic structure with a high-quality FWHM of as low as 0.059 and preferred grown orientations along (131) and (220). AFM images clarify the two-dimensional nucleation growth mechanism. The fitted bandgap of the as-grown crystal is about 3.65 eV. TPB detectors with vertical and coplanar electrodes with a resistivity of 2.56 × 1013 Ω cm and 6.68 × 1013 Ω cm, respectively, were prepared. The mobilities for electrons (μe) and holes (μh) for the coplanar device were calculated to be 1.12 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 1.02 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively. Under a 50 kV X-ray beam, the detection limit is as low as 0.35 μGy s−1, and the sensitivity reaches 2.72 μC Gy−1 cm−2. The TPB devices have the ability to detect 241Am@5.49 MeV α particles, showing the full-energy peak collected from the holes with an energy resolution of 39.13% at 700 V. The mobility lifetime product of the TPB devices for electrons (μτ)e and holes (μτ)h were calculated to be up to 2.24 × 10−5 cm2 V−1 and 4.04 × 10−5 cm2 V−1, respectively. The TPB detector could present a spectral response to 241Am@59.5 keV γ-rays from the holes with an energy resolution of 44.25% at 1000 V, which shows the potential for both direct and indirect detection of high-energy radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes (pc- w LEDs) are current research hotspot. To meet simultaneously the requirements of high chemical/thermal stability and color-rendering index (CRI), low correlated color temperature (CCT) for actual application is still not be perfectly achieved. Herein, we studied for the first time the incorporation of Ce3+ (blue-emitting) and Mn2+ (orange/red emission) into the dibarium magnesium phosphate ceramic (Ba 2 Mg(PO 4) 2 , BMP) for packaging of pc- w LEDs via remote 'capping' approach, which exhibits highly efficient color-tunable photoluminescence (PL) with splendid chemical/thermal stability, single-phase/full-color-PL, efficient energy transfer (ET). To reduce the impact of heterovalent substitution (Ba2+ ← Ce3+), the monovalent (Li+, Na+, K+) ion, respectively tridoped in BMP: Ce/Mn and played both roles as flux and charge compensator, were also studied/compared on the basis of PL efficiency, where Na+ is the most effective because of the lowest electronegativity mismatch between the Ba2+ and Na+. An alkaline-earth-metal-ion blending strategy via partial replacement of Ba2+ with Sr2+ was implemented to further regulate PL and obtain better parameters of CCT/CRI due to the variations of crystal field splitting. The site occupations of Ce/Na/Sr in Ba sites (CN = 8 and 7) and Mn in Mg site (CN = 6) were based on the comparisons of ion radius and confirmed by XRD/Rietveld analyses, where Ce/Na/Sr ions gave priority to occupy the Ba site with CN = 8 due to their much closer ion radius. Altogether, the stably composition-optimized BMP: Ce/Mn/Na/Sr has great potential application as a single-component color-tunable phosphor in n -UV pumped pc- w LEDs. The pc- w LED fabricated via remote 'capping' approach by combination of a n -UV chip with BMP: Ce/Mn/Na/Sr phosphor through Ce to Mn ET with the help of charge compensator of Na and the alkaline-earth-metal-ions blending by Ba/Sr replacement. [Display omitted] • Ce/Sr/Na occupied at Ba sites while Mn sited in Mg sites. • ET occurs efficiently from Ce to Mn. • Na + acts as charge balancer to improve PL efficiency. • Replacing partial Ba by Sr could regulate PL and improve ET efficiency. • pc- w LED via ' n -UV LED + white-emitting BMP: Ce/Mn/Na/Sr' is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer is associated with a poor prognosis despite multimodal treatments. To improve the efficacy of radiotherapy, the use of nanoscintillators is emerging. Made of high‐Z elements, they absorb X‐rays more efficiently than tissues and can locally enhance the radiation dose provided they have accumulated near tumor cells. This study focuses on the role of the coating, a key parameter that controls both in vitro and in vivo properties of nanoparticles, including their internalization, biocompatibility, and therapeutic efficacy. Polyethylene glycol and tripolyphosphate molecules are used to coat lanthanum fluoride nanoscintillators, and their properties are evaluated on pancreatic cancer models. The experiments demonstrate a higher internalization of the nanoparticles when coated with tripolyphosphate, in both 2D and 3D culture models, correlating with greater efficacy under X‐rays, which may be associated with higher radiation dose‐enhancement. The nanoparticles are also injected intravenously in healthy or tumor‐bearing mice in order to study their toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution. Despite a strong liver and spleen accumulation, especially for the tripolyphosphate‐coated nanoparticles, no toxicity is observed for either coating. Because they show promising radiation dose‐enhancement in vitro in both culture models and a limited toxicity in vivo, polyethylene glycol‐coated nanoparticles are good candidates for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open Hardware-based microcontrollers, especially the Arduino platform, have become a comparably easy-to-use tool for rapid prototyping and implementing creative solutions. Such devices in combination with dedicated front-end electronics can offer low-cost alternatives for student projects, slow control and independently operating small-scale instrumentation. The capabilities can be extended to data taking and signal analysis at mid-level rates. Two detector realizations are presented, which cover the readouts of proportional counter tubes and of scintillators or wavelength-shifting fibers with silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). The SiPMTrigger realizes a small-scale design for coincidence readout of SiPMs as a trigger or veto detector. It consists of a custom mixed signal front-end board featuring signal amplification, discrimination and a coincidence unit for rates of up to 200 kHz. The nCatcher transforms an Arduino Nano to a proportional counter readout with pulse shape analysis: time over threshold measurement and a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter for pulse heights. The device is suitable for low-to-medium-rate environments up to 5 kHz, where a good signal-to-noise ratio is crucial. We showcase the monitoring of thermal neutrons. For data taking and slow control, a logger board is presented that features an SD card and GSM/LoRa interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preclinical research and organ‐dedicated applications use and require high (spatial‐)resolution positron emission tomography (PET) detectors to visualize small structures (early) and understand biological processes at a finer level of detail. Researchers seeking to improve detector and image spatial resolution have explored various detector designs. Current commercial high‐resolution systems often employ finely pixelated or monolithic scintillators, each with its limitations. Purpose: We present a semi‐monolithic detector, tailored for high‐resolution PET applications with a spatial resolution in the range of 1 mm or better, merging concepts of monolithic and pixelated crystals. The detector features LYSO slabs measuring (24 × 10 × 1) mm3, coupled to a 12 × 12 readout channel photosensor with 4 mm pitch. The slabs are grouped in two arrays of 44 slabs each to achieve a higher optical photon density despite the fine segmentation. Methods: We employ a fan beam collimator for fast calibration to train machine‐learning‐based positioning models for all three dimensions, including slab identification and depth‐of‐interaction (DOI), utilizing gradient tree boosting (GTB). The data for all dimensions was acquired in less than 2 h. Energy calculation was based on a position‐dependent energy calibration. Using an analytical timing calibration, time skews were corrected for coincidence timing resolution (CTR) estimation. Results: Leveraging machine‐learning‐based calibration in all three dimensions, we achieved high detector spatial resolution: down to 1.18 mm full width at half maximum (FWHM) detector spatial resolution and 0.75 mm mean absolute error (MAE) in the planar‐monolithic direction, and 2.14 mm FWHM and 1.03 mm MAE for DOI at an energy window of (435–585) keV. Correct slab interaction identification in planar‐segmented direction exceeded 80%, alongside an energy resolution of 12.7% and a CTR of 450 ps FWHM. Conclusions: The introduced finely segmented, high‐resolution slab detector demonstrates appealing performance characteristics suitable for high‐resolution PET applications. The current benchtop‐based detector calibration routine allows these detectors to be used in PET systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CeBr 3 and NaI (Tl) scintillators characterized with array of Silicon Photomultipliers. • Energy resolution improves with lower shaping time and higher SiPM over-voltage. • Temperature dependency of gain of SiPM array: ∼−0.81 %/°C for overvoltage of 2.5 Volts. • Temperature dependency of light yield for CeBr 3 : ∼−0.27 %/°C for −31 °C to +26 °C. • Temperature dependency of light yield for NaI (Tl): ∼+0.5 %/°C for −31 °C to +26 °C. Interaction of X-rays with a scintillation detector produces optical photons in the visible range. The spectral and spatial information of the X-ray can be derived by detecting these output photons using a Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM). Two types of detector modules: CeBr 3 and NaI (Tl), coupled with an array of SiPM are presented here, which are being developed for the future space exploration programs. The development of the front end electronics (FEE) for the charge readout from SiPM for X-ray spectrometer application is presented here which is characterized for SiPM's over-voltages and shaping amplifier's time constant. In this article, both the detector modules are subjected to a wide temperature range to establish a relationship of the SiPM's gain, energy resolution and scintillators' output photon yield with ambient temperature. The test results show that energy resolution improves with higher over-voltage of SiPM and also with lower operating temperature. The gain of the SiPM array shows negative temperature dependence of ∼−0.81 %/°C for an over-voltage of 2.5 Volts. To derive the temperature dependency of scintillators' output photons, gain of the SiPM array was made constant by operating it at a fixed over-voltage for a wide temperature range. With the constant gain of SiPM, CeBr 3 scintillator shows negative temperature coefficient of ∼−0.27 %/°C and NaI (Tl) shows positive temperature coefficient of ∼+0.5 %/°C for the light output in the temperature range of −31 °C to +26 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To directly compare the radiation and imaging isocenters of a proton treatment machine, we developed and evaluated a real‐time radiation isocenter verification system. Methods: The system consists of a plastic scintillator (PI‐200, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), an acrylic phantom, a steel ball on the detachable plate, Raspberry Pi 4 (Raspberry Pi Foundation, London, UK) with camera module, and analysis software implemented through a Python‐based graphical user interface (GUI). After kV imaging alignment of the steel ball, the imaging isocenter defined as the position of the steel ball was extracted from the optical image. The proton star‐shot was obtained by optical camera because the scintillator converted proton beam into visible light. Then the software computed both the minimum circle radius and the radiation isocenter position from the star‐shot. And the deviation between the imaging isocenter and radiation isocenter was calculated. We compared our results with measurements obtained by Gafchromic EBT3 film (Ashland, NJ, USA). Results: The minimum circle radii were averaged 0.29 and 0.41 mm while the position deviations from the radiation isocenter to the laser marker were averaged 0.99 and 1.07 mm, for our system and EBT3 film, respectively. Furthermore, the average position difference between the radiation isocenter and imaging isocenter was 0.27 mm for our system. Our system reduced analysis time by 10 min. Conclusions: Our system provided automated star‐shot analysis with sufficient accuracy, and it is cost‐effective alternative to conventional film‐based method for radiation isocenter verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the discovery of X-rays, scintillators are commonly used as high-energy radiation sensors in diagnostic medical imaging, high-energy physics, astrophysics, environmental radiation monitoring, and security inspections. Conventional scintillators face intrinsic limitations including a low extraction efficiency of scintillated light and a low emission rate, leading to efficiencies that are less than 10 % for commercial scintillators. Overcoming these limitations will require new materials including scintillating nanomaterials ("nanoscintillators"), as well as new photonic approaches that increase the efficiency of the scintillation process, increase the emission rate of materials, and control the directivity of the scintillated light. In this perspective, we describe emerging nanoscintillating materials and three nanophotonic platforms: (i) plasmonic nanoresonators, (ii) photonic crystals, and (iii) high-Q metasurfaces that could enable high performance scintillators. We further discuss how a combination of nanoscintillators and photonic structures can yield a "super scintillator" enabling ultimate spatio-temporal resolution while enabling a significant boost in the extracted scintillation emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) accident, the treated water from which the primary radioactive substances were removed contained tritium, and the Japanese government discussed how to treat this water. As the storage capacity of the treated water reached its limit, the Japanese government decided on a method to discharge the treated water into the sea in 2023. Herein, a basic study was conducted to develop a tritiated monitor to directly measure tritium in wastewater for preparing the release of tritiated water from the FDNPS. Two plastic scintillators with different shapes (sheet and pellet types) were compared as detectors. The pellet-type detector was found to be more sensitive to tritiated water than the sheet-type, with an efficiency of 2.95 × 10−5 cps Bq−1 L in the test configuration. In the future, optimizing the design for background reduction should achieve a minimum detectable radioactivity of 1,500 Bq L−1, the emission standard set by nuclear power plant operators. Through this study, we could obtain basic data for developing such a practical tritiated monitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic scintillators play a pivotal role in diverse fields like medical imaging, nondestructive detection, homeland security, and high‐energy physics. However, traditional inorganic scintillators encounter challenges such as high fabrication costs and low light yield. Recently, low‐dimensional metal halide scintillators (LDMHS) have witnessed rapid progress, owing to their distinctive crystal structure and superior radioluminescence performance. Herein, an overview of recent advancements and proposed instructive pathways for achieving high‐performance LDMHS is provided. First, the scintillation physical mechanism and emphasis on the essential requirements of scintillators for diverse applications are elucidated. Furthermore, LDMHS by the B‐site, introducing recent advancements and providing insights into their characteristics is categorized. This encompasses the understanding of structure‐property relationships and the routes and rules for optimizing scintillation performance. Finally, the persisting challenges in this burgeoning field and proposed potential research directions for future exploration are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X‐ray scintillators have gained significant attention in medical diagnostics and industrial applications. Despite their widespread utility, scintillator development faces a significant hurdle when exposed to elevated temperatures, as it usually results in reduced scintillation efficiency and diminished luminescence output. Here we report a molecular design strategy based on a hybrid perovskite (TpyBiCl5) that overcomes thermal quenching through multi‐excited state switching. The structure of perovskite provides a platform to modulate the luminescence centers. The rigid framework constructed by this perovskite structure stabilized its triplet states, resulting in TpyBiCl5 exhibiting an approximately 12 times higher (45 % vs. 3.8 %) photoluminescence quantum yield of room temperature phosphorescence than that of its organic ligand (Tpy). Most importantly, the interactions between the components of this perovskite enable the mixing of different excited states, which has been revealed by experimental and theoretical investigations. The TpyBiCl5 scintillator exhibits a detection limit of 38.92 nGy s−1 at 213 K and a detection limit of 196.31 nGy s−1 at 353 K through scintillation mode switching between thermally activated delayed fluorescence and phosphorescence. This work opens up the possibility of solving the thermal quenching in X‐ray scintillators by tuning different excited states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic scintillators have recently attracted growing attention for X‐ray detection in industrial and medical applications. However, these materials still face critical obstacles of low attenuation efficiency and/or inefficient triplet exciton utilization. Here we developed a new category of organogold(III) complexes, Tp‐Au‐1 and Tp‐Au‐2, through adopting a through‐space interaction motif to realize high X‐ray attenuation efficiency and efficient harvesting of triplet excitons for emission. Thanks to the efficient through‐space charge transfer process, this panel of complexes achieved higher photoluminescence quantum yield and shorter radiative lifetimes compared with the through‐bond reference complexes. Inspiringly, these organogold(III) complexes exhibited polarity‐dependent emission origins: thermally activated delayed fluorescence and/or phosphorescence. Under X‐ray irradiation, Tp‐Au‐2 manifested intense radioluminescence together with a record‐high scintillation light yield of 77,600 photons MeV−1 for organic scintillators. The resulting scintillator screens demonstrated high‐quality X‐ray imaging with >16.0 line pairs mm−1 spatial resolution, outstripping most organic and inorganic scintillators. This finding provides a feasible strategy for the design of superior organic X‐ray scintillators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a class of emerging photoluminescent materials, hybrid halide crystals have drawn research attention for their potential application in the fields of light‐emitting, security, and waveguide. Nevertheless, hybrid halide crystals containing antimony with long‐term stability and tunable light emission are still increasingly in demand. In this work, serial new hybrid halide crystals (BZA)2ZnCl4·2H2O:xSb3+ (x = 0–0.2, x represents the reaction ratio) and (BZA)2SbCl5 are synthesized (BZA = 2,4‐diamino‐6‐phenyl‐1,3,5‐triazine). In (BZA)2ZnCl4·2H2O:xSb3+ crystals, Sb3+ cations replace partial Zn2+ cations to form [SbCl4]− tetrahedron. Red light emission caused by the substitution of Sb3+ for Zn2+ enhances as the doping rate increases, resulting in the tunable emission from light blue to pink and finally to dark red. There are two kinds of Sb3+ in (BZA)2SbCl5 crystal. Sb(1) has a sixfold coordination with Cl to form a [Sb(1)Cl5]∞ 1D zigzag chain. Sb(2) atom adopts a fivefold coordination with Cl and is separated from each other by BZA+ cations. (BZA)2SbCl5 crystal shows bright orange‐yellow light emission with a photoluminescence quantum yield of 45%. Moreover, the organic–inorganic hybrid metal halide crystals containing antimony have excellent long‐term stability, with phase and luminescence keeping nearly unchanged after more than six months in ambient air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead‐free metal halide double perovskites have emerged as promising scintillators owing to their superior optoelectronic properties, low‐cost and solution processability. However, it is still challenging to develop high‐performance flexible X‐ray scintillators based on the B(I)‐site alkali metal modulation in lead‐free double perovskite nanocrystals (NCs). Herein, a series of novel Cs2B(I)GdCl6 (B: Li, Na, K) of double perovskite A2B(I)M(III)X6 NCs structures are successfully synthesized, the optical and scintillator properties of which are significantly sensitive to the B(I)‐site alkali metals with the doping of Sb3+. They showed efficient self‐trapped exciton (STE) emission with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and exhibited the highest X‐ray detection limit (86 nGyair s−1) and excellent spatial resolutions (>15 lp mm−1). The femtosecond transient absorption measurement and theoretical analysis further revealed that the B(I)‐site alkali metal fundamentally balanced the exciton–phonon coupling with appropriate STEs formation energy barrier and the electron localization and thus improved the optical and scintillator properties. This B(I)‐site alkali metal engineering offers a strategy to develop bright luminescent double perovskite NCs for X‐ray detection and imaging devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasi-zero-dimensional quantum dots (QDs) have garnered significant attention owing to their distinct structural attributes, quantum confinement behaviors, optoelectronic characteristics, etc. Regrettably, their susceptibility to stability poses a challenge. In this context, leveraging rational component regulation and crystallization process optimization strategies, we presented the successful preparation of CdS QDs silicate glass through the amalgamation of melt-quenching and controlled crystallization. The optical and morphological analysis substantiated the accomplishment of in-situ precipitation of CdS QDs within the glass matrix, with grain sizes <20 nm. Integrating CdS QDs into an inorganic glass matrix remarkably augmented its fluorescence thermal stability, enabling the preservation of 85.1 % of the room-temperature luminescent intensity even at an elevated temperature of 150 °C. Moreover, the encapsulated W-LED device by near-UV LED chip, CdS QDs glass, and BaMgAl 10 O 17 :Eu2+ phosphor exhibited a warm white-light emission characterized by suitable chromaticity coordinates (0.3741, 0.3452) and a notably high color rendering index (CRI = 93). Ultimately, the radioluminescence behavior of CdS QDs glass was unveiled by utilizing it as the scintillator wafer in an X-ray imaging system, which clearly demonstrated the structure of spring encapsulated within an opaque capsule. In a nutshell, these demonstrations unequivocally emphasize the substantial potential merits of CdS QDs glass, particularly in the domains of long-term W-LED lighting and X-ray imaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall gain of a scintillation detector is temperature-dependent, leading to a drift in the measured gamma energy spectrum with changes in temperature. To mitigate this effect, a temperature drift correction is essential prior to conducting gamma spectrum analysis. In this study, the detector gain ratio is determined by comparing the positions of the same background peak across different spectra. Subsequently, the original spectrum is adjusted accordingly to obtain a gamma spectrum free from temperature drift. Experimental results demonstrate that after implementing this correction, the relative deviation of the 57Co characteristic peak positions in the gamma spectrum measured by the NaI(Tl) detector is reduced from 18.64% to 0.91%. Furthermore, by performing energy calibration beforehand, the characteristic peak position can be utilized for secondary correction, further minimizing temperature drift. Our findings indicate that the relative deviation of the 22Na characteristic peak positions was reduced, respectively, to 0.51% and 0.46% through secondary correction. This approach, which utilizes the background peak for correction, avoids the need for additional radioactivity or circuitry and effectively mitigates peak drift. Overall, this method holds significant implications for enhancing the accuracy of gamma spectrum analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic–inorganic hybrid metal halides are widely used in X‐ray detection and imaging due to their high X‐ray absorption efficiency, ease of synthesis, and efficient luminescence. However, the issue of lead toxicity remains a concern. In this study, non‐toxic, 0D 2,2′‐(Ethylenedioxy)bis(ethylamine) manganese (II) bromide (EDBEMnBr4) is synthesized using the simple mechanical grinding method and the solution method that exhibits intense green emission at ≈525 nm. Moreover, the change of structure under the influence of temperature and water significantly affects its fluorescence color under UV light. Scintillator materials with and without moisture exposure showed spatial resolutions of 7 and 4 lp mm−1, and low detection limits of 4.62 and 5.25 µGyair s−1, respectively, meeting medical industry standards (<5.5 µGyair s−1). Furthermore, based on the apparent change in luminescence color triggered by moisture for EDBEMnBr4, a preliminary attempt is made to apply it to humidity monitoring showing that the boundary of color change has a good linear dependence on humidity and time. This work provides new opportunities for Mn‐based metal halides in both X‐ray detection as well as moisture detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current mainstream planar X‐ray imaging techniques face significant challenges for accurately capturing the internal structure of curved objects, since the variable distances between the curved objects and the flat‐panel scintillation screen cannot eliminate the distortion in X‐ray imaging. Though large‐area and transparent curved scintillation screens are much more desirable. Here, organic–inorganic hybrid Mn‐based single crystals ([CH3Ph3P]2MnX4, X = Cl, Br, I) exhibiting high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and low melting temperature have been employed to prepare transparent glass for X‐ray scintillation imaging application through a low‐temperature melting strategy. The [CH3Ph3P]2MnBr4‐glass shows high PLQY (47.8%), high‐resolution X‐ray imaging performance (12.3 lp mm−1), low limit of detection (25.33 nGy s−1), and impressive X‐ray irradiation stability (102 Gy). Furthermore, high‐contrast X‐ray imaging at a low dose (6.865 µGy per exposure, 14.5 times lower than the chest radiograph) is achieved. Based on the low glass transition temperature (Tg = 53.6 °C) and easy‐shapeable properties of [CH3Ph3P]2MnBr4‐glass scintillator, the large‐area curved scintillation screen with a series of sizes of Φ 2×4 – Φ 8×4 cm2 can be easily fabricated and show high X‐ray imaging quality. These findings provide a paradigm for future research in shapeable X‐ray scintillators, unlocking new possibilities for curved and 3D X‐ray imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scintillators are essential in converting ionizing X‐rays and γ‐rays into visible light, with applications in medical diagnosis, security inspection, and non‐invasive detection. However, current scintillating materials exhibit unclear structure–function relationships. The performance of scintillators is intricately linked to their electronic band structure, particularly the intrinsic properties of excited states. Therefore, investigating the structural factors affecting scintillation performance is crucial for developing new scintillators. Therefore, Ba‐SMOF 1 ([Ba2(PyTS)(CH3OH)2(H2O)4]n) is synthesized using a pyrene‐based organic motif and metal Ba(II) ions, where PyTS4− refers to pyrene‐1,3,6,8‐tetrasulfonate. For the first time, the excited state of a pyrene‐based X‐ray scintillating metal–organic framework (MOF) is determined through comprehensive all‐electron excitation studies, including in situ experimental electron density and wave‐function analysis. The electron density maps exhibit a continuous overlap, attributed to the associative exciton behaviors among the closely packed PyTS4− linkers. These linkers are identified as the sources of both static and dynamic excimer emissions. The electron density studies reveal the role of excimers in pyrene‐based luminophores, highlighting that interchromophoric interactions are key to enhancing the performance of scintillating MOFs. This discovery opens new avenues for the practical application of scintillating MOFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous nuclear reactor monitoring is a key aspect of the International Atomic Energy Agency's strategy to ensure nonproliferation treaty compliance. From the rise of small modular reactor technology, decentralized nuclear reactor fleets may strain the capacities of such monitoring and requires new approaches. We demonstrate the superior capabilities of a gamma detection system to monitor the criticality of a zero power nuclear reactor from beyond typical vessel boundaries, offering a powerful alternative to neutron-based systems by providing direct information on fission chain propagation. Using the case example of the research reactor CROCUS, we demonstrate how two bismuth germanate scintillators placed outside the reactor vessel can precisely observe reactor criticality using so called noise methods and provide core status information in seconds. Our results indicate a wide range of applications due to the newly gained geometric flexibility that could find use in fields beyond nuclear safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrahigh‐resolution X‐ray detection has always been a goal pursued in industrial inspection and medical diagnosis. However, the resolution of the corresponding image generally suffers from serious light scattering and crosstalk. Here, a low‐temperature thermoplastic scintillator ink of [Bmmim]2MnCl4 (Bmmim = 1‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium) is designed, achieving an astonishing spatial resolution of over 22 lp mm−1 (≥22.5 µm). A customized X‐ray imaging can be realized with the as‐explored [Bmmim]2MnCl4 scintillator to the targets through brushing feasibly exhibiting a high adhesion and processability thanks to the superior rheological properties. It is demonstrated that the coordination number determines the melting point of the corresponding scintillator, and an appropriate melting point (323 K) endows a superior viscosity of the sample as print ink. Accordingly, the as‐explored scintillator not only exhibits a high light output with 3.63 times of the commercial Bi4Ge3O12 (10 000 photons MeV−1) under steady‐state X‐ray illumination but also performs excellent recyclability even after 100 re‐uses. This work brings a new perspective for solving the problems of light scattering and light crosstalk for X‐ray imaging, as well as promoting the development of scintillator ink for recycling utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed machine learning algorithms for distinguishing scintillation signals from a plastic-liquid coupled detector known as a phoswich. The challenge lies in discriminating signals from organic scintillators with similar shapes and short decay times. Using a single-readout phoswich detector, we successfully identified y radiation signals from two scintillating components. Our Boosted Decision Tree algorithm demonstrated a maximum discrimination power of 3.02 ± 0.85 standard deviation in the 950 keV region, providing an efficient solution for self-shielding and enhancing radiation detection capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Digitizer Unit plays an important role in modeling using Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE), a Geant4-based platform used for numerical simulations in medical imaging and radiotherapy. It simulates the response of the photodetection components using a sequence of analytical and semi-analytical models. The Digitizer Unit was written for the first version of GATE approximately 20 years ago. Since then, it has in parts grown in a code that can be hardly maintained. Some parts of the code were unused or duplicated; some of the functionalities were not working anymore. Therefore, the GATE Digitizer Unit update is required in order to incorporate the novelties of Geant4 to update its current version and add new features. In this article, the implementation of the new GATE Digitizer Unit (since version 9.3) is presented. Added functionalities, the impact of changes on users, the current status of the work, and perspectives are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time‐of‐flight (TOF) technique, traditionally used in high energy physics (HEP) and positron emission tomography (PET), is now being explored for lower energy applications like computed tomography (CT). Regardless of the application, pushing the current boundaries in time resolution calls for novel technologies and materials exhibiting ultra‐fast time response. Semiconductor nanocrystals like cesium lead halide perovskites (CsPbBr3), benefiting from quantum confinement effects, feature ultra‐fast decay and, when combined with a suitable bulk scintillator following a heterostructure concept, can also provide the necessary stopping power. In this work, thin films of CsPbBr3 on top of BGO, LYSO:Ce, and GAGG:Ce,Mg wafers are fabricated to test their impact on the single crystal scintillator time resolution under soft X‐rays excitation (about 10 keV). It is demonstrated that the CsPbBr3 layer significantly improves the overall time resolution in all cases, achieving up to a tenfold improvement with BGO and GAGG:Ce,Mg. Under 511 keV γ‐rays, a proof‐of‐concept of the heterostructure design for TOF‐PET using CsPbBr3 thin film deposited on GAGG:Ce,Mg bulk crystal is successfully tested. Shared events depositing energy in both materials are identified, resulting in more than twofold improved coincidence time resolution: 118 ± 4 ps full‐width‐at‐half‐maximum (FWHM) compared to the 272 ± 8 ps of solely GAGG:Ce,Mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of the dead layer thickness and quenching factor of a plastic scintillator for use in ultracold neutron (UCN) experiments is described. Alpha spectroscopy was used to determine the thickness of a thin surface dead layer to be 630 ± 110 nm. The relative light outputs from the decay of 241Am and Compton scattering of electrons were used to extract Birks' law coefficient, yielding a kB value of 0.087 ± 0.003 mm/MeV, consistent with some previous reports for other polystyrene-based scintillators. The results from these measurements are incorporated into the simulation to show that an energy threshold of (∼9 keV) can be achieved for the UCNProBe experiment. This low threshold enables high beta particle detection efficiency and the indirect measurement of UCN. The ability to make the scintillator deuterated, accompanied by its relatively thin dead layer, gives rise to unique applications in a wide range of UCN experiments, where it can be used to trap UCN and detect charged particles in situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction in the effective dose of evacuated injured persons through contaminated areas of nuclear accidents is an essential emergency services requirement. In this context, there appeared a need to develop a dose-optimised route finding method for firefighting rescue vehicles, which includes the development of a real-time decision support measurement and evaluation system. This determines and visualises the radiation exposure of possible routes in a tested area. The system inside and outside of the vehicle measures the ambient dose equivalent rate, the gamma spectra, and also the airborne radioactive aerosol and iodine levels. The method uses gamma radiation measuring NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors mounted on the outside of the vehicle, to determine the dose rate inside the vehicle using the previously recorded attenuation conversation function, while continuously collecting the air through a filter and using an alpha, beta, and gamma radiation measuring NaI(Tl)+ PVT + ZnS(Ag) scintillator to determine the activity concentration in the air, using these measured values to determine the effective dose for all routes and all kinds of vehicles. The energy-dependent shielding effect of the vehicle, the filtering efficiency of the collective protection equipment, and the vehicle's speed and travel time were taken into account. The results were validated by using gamma point sources with different activity and energy levels. The measurement results under real conditions and available real accident data used in our simulations for three different vehicles and pedestrians proved the applicability of the system. During a nuclear accident based on our model calculations, the inhalation of radioactive aerosols causes a dose almost an order of magnitude higher than the external gamma radiation caused by the fallout contamination. The selection of the appropriate vehicle and its route is determined by the spectrum that can be measured at the accident site but especially by the radioactive aerosol concentration in the air that can be measured in the area. In the case of radiation measuring detectors, the shielding effect of the carrier vehicle must be taken into account, especially in the case of heavy shielding vehicles. The method provides an excellent opportunity to reduce the damage to the health of accident victims and first responders during rescue operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, indirect digital radiography detectors have been actively studied to improve radiographic image performance with low radiation exposure. This study aimed to achieve low-dose radiation imaging with a thick scintillation detector while simultaneously obtaining the resolution of a thin scintillation detector. The proposed method was used to predict the optimal point spread function (PSF) between thin and thick scintillation detectors by considering image quality assessment (IQA). The process of identifying the optimal PSF was performed on each sub-band in the wavelet domain to improve restoration accuracy. In the experiments, the edge preservation index (EPI) values of the non-blind deblurred image with a blurring sigma of σ = 5.13 pixels and the image obtained with optimal parameters from the thick scintillator using the proposed method were approximately 0.62 and 0.76, respectively. The coefficient of variation (COV) values for the two images were approximately 1.02 and 0.63, respectively. The proposed method was validated through simulations and experimental results, and its viability is expected to be verified on various radiological imaging systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton radiography is a promising development in proton therapy, and researchers are currently exploring optimal detector materials to construct proton radiography detector arrays. High-density glass scintillators may improve integrating-mode proton radiography detectors by increasing spatial resolution and decreasing detector thickness. We evaluated several new scintillators, activated with europium or terbium, with proton response measurements and Monte Carlo simulations, characterizing relative luminosity, ionization quenching, and proton radiograph spatial resolution. We applied a correction based on Birks's analytical model for ionization quenching. The data demonstrate increased relative luminosity with increased activation element concentration, and higher relative luminosity for samples activated with europium. An increased glass density enables more compact detector geometries and higher spatial resolution. These findings suggest that a tungsten and gadolinium oxide-based glass activated with 4% europium is an ideal scintillator for testing in a full-size proton radiography detector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the nonlinear characteristics of energy resolution (ER) for the sealed NaI (Tl) scintillator detector by using a gamma-ray spectroscopy system and Monte Carlo simulation. Our research focused on the two primary factors of energy resolution including the photomultiplier tube (PMT) voltage and the distance between the gamma-ray sources (137Cs and 60Co) and the scintillator detector. The experimental results showed that energy resolution decreased when the PMT voltage increased, and the energy resolution of NaI (Tl) detectors reached a smaller value (6.92%, 6.76%, and 6.56%), especially with the PMT voltage in the range of 575–595 V. In addition, a suitable distance between the gamma-ray source and the scintillator (5 cm) can also effectively reduce the energy resolution. We established the simulation models of the experimental NaI (Tl) detectors and simulated their energy spectra. The simulation results in the peak area agreed with the experimental results. A possible better PMT voltage choice has been proposed to obtain a smaller energy resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: FLASH Radiotherapy (RT) is an emergent cancer RT modality where an entire therapeutic dose is delivered at more than 1000 times higher dose rate than conventional RT. For clinical trials to be conducted safely, a precise and fast beam monitor that can generate out‐of‐tolerance beam interrupts is required. This paper describes the overall concept and provides results from a prototype ultra‐fast, scintillator‐based beam monitor for both proton and electron beam FLASH applications. Purpose: A FLASH Beam Scintillator Monitor (FBSM) is being developed that employs a novel proprietary scintillator material. The FBSM has capabilities that conventional RT detector technologies are unable to simultaneously provide: (1) large area coverage; (2) a low mass profile; (3) a linear response over a broad dynamic range; (4) radiation hardness; (5) real‐time analysis to provide an IEC‐compliant fast beam‐interrupt signal based on true two‐dimensional beam imaging, radiation dosimetry and excellent spatial resolution. Methods: The FBSM uses a proprietary low mass, less than 0.5 mm water equivalent, non‐hygroscopic, radiation tolerant scintillator material (designated HM: hybrid material) that is viewed by high frame rate CMOS cameras. Folded optics using mirrors enable a thin monitor profile of ∼10 cm. A field programmable gate array (FPGA) data acquisition system generates real‐time analysis on a time scale appropriate to the FLASH RT beam modality: 100–1000 Hz for pulsed electrons and 10–20 kHz for quasi‐continuous scanning proton pencil beams. An ion beam monitor served as the initial development platform for this work and was tested in low energy heavy‐ion beams (86Kr+26 and protons). A prototype FBSM was fabricated and then tested in various radiation beams that included FLASH level dose per pulse electron beams, and a hospital RT clinic with electron beams. Results: Results presented in this report include image quality, response linearity, radiation hardness, spatial resolution, and real‐time data processing. The HM scintillator was found to be highly radiation damage resistant. It exhibited a small 0.025%/kGy signal decrease from a 216 kGy cumulative dose resulting from continuous exposure for 15 min at a FLASH compatible dose rate of 237 Gy/s. Measurements of the signal amplitude versus beam fluence demonstrate linear response of the FBSM at FLASH compatible dose rates of >40 Gy/s. Comparison with commercial Gafchromic film indicates that the FBSM produces a high resolution 2D beam image and can reproduce a nearly identical beam profile, including primary beam tails. The spatial resolution was measured at 35–40 µm. Tests of the firmware beta version show successful operation at 20 000 Hz frame rate or 50 µs/frame, where the real‐time analysis of the beam parameters is achieved in less than 1 µs. Conclusions: The FBSM is designed to provide real‐time beam profile monitoring over a large active area without significantly degrading the beam quality. A prototype device has been staged in particle beams at currents of single particles up to FLASH level dose rates, using both continuous ion beams and pulsed electron beams. Using a novel scintillator, beam profiling has been demonstrated for currents extending from single particles to 10 nA currents. Radiation damage is minimal and even under FLASH conditions would require ≥50 kGy of accumulated exposure in a single spot to result in a 1% decrease in signal output. Beam imaging is comparable to radiochromic films, and provides immediate images without hours of processing. Real‐time data processing, taking less than 50 µs (combined data transfer and analysis times), has been implemented in firmware for 20 kHz frame rates for continuous proton beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, a bimetallic metal–organic framework of (MOF) La3+ and Ce3+ (Ce, La-MOF) was synthesized using a new solvothermal route. Also, monometallic MOFs La3+ (La-MOF) and Ce3+ (Ce-MOF) were synthesized using the mentioned method. To identify, and analyze the synthesized nanostructures, field emission scanning microscopy (FSEM), energy dispersive X-ray mapping (MAP), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravity curve (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmt–Teller surface area (BET) were used. According to the XRD diffraction patterns of Ce–La-MOF nanostructure, no additional peaks are derived from La species, which confirms that the addition of La does not change the crystalline phase structure of Ce-MOF. The size of La-MOF, Ce-MOF, and Ce, La-MOF nanostructures was calculated by the Williamson-Hall method and reported as 72.97, 55.46, and 81.55 nm, respectively. The specific surface area (BET) results for La-MOF, Ce-MOF, and Ce, La-MOF nanostructures were reported as 140, 200, and 260 m2 g−1 respectively, and the mean pore volumes of the nanostructures were reported as 0.019, 0.022 and 0.030 cm3 respectively. These values allow the use of these versatile nanostructures in various applications such as biosensing, separation and purification, medicine field, and catalysts. In addition, in this study, modified electrodes for synthesized nanostructures were tested for the electrooxidation of acetaminophen. And the obtained results show better electrocatalytic behavior of bimetallic Ce, La-MOF nanostructures than monometallic La-MOF, Ce-MOF nanostructures against acetaminophen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First-principles calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and the Wien2k package are used to analyze the structural, electrical, optical, and elastic characteristics of Li-based chloride perovskites LiXCl3 (X = Ca, Ba). The structural analysis demonstrates that these compounds are stable and have the space group pm-3m (no. 221). The calculations show that these materials possess an indirect band gap. For elastic properties, the Pugh's ratio (compound ductility), elastic constants, anisotropy factor, Poisson's ratio, and bulk modulus are analyzed. In 0–30 eV energy range, optical parameters such as dielectric function, extinction coefficient, reflectivity, absorption coefficient, refractive index, and optical conductivity, are measured. Optical properties, i.e. dielectric function, extinction coefficient, refractive index, absorption coefficient, reflectivity and optical conductivity, are evaluated in 0–30 eV energy range. The calculations show that these materials possess large band gap and are structurally anisotropic, making these better candidates for scintillator applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic structural, optical, elastic, and electronic properties are investigated in this research for QZnCl3 (Q = Li and Na) ternary centrosymmetric chloroperovskites compounds utilizing the DFT approach. The integrated TB-mBJ exchange–correlation potential within the WIEN2K computational simulation package serves for precise outcomes. The structural optimization is done by fitting the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state (EOS) for the primitive unit cell energy versus primitive unit cell volume. The parameters from the optimized fitted curves, Goldsmith's tolerance factor (tG), and octahedral coefficient predict the stable cubic structure of QZnCl3 (Q = Li and Na) centrosymmetric ternary chloroperovskites compounds. The elastic parameters which include cubic elastic constants (ECs), elastic moduli (E), Poisson's ratio (v), anisotropy factor (A), and the Pugh ratio (B/G) investigated through IRelast code display the mechanical stability, ductility, and toughness of interested centrosymmetric compounds. Predicted electronic band structures and densities of states (DOS) display that LiZnCl3 and NaZnCl3 possess an indirect (R-Γ) band gap of 3.82 eV and of 3.91 eV respectively, confirming that both the materials are wide band gap semiconductors. In optical properties, the spectral curves of several parameters are observed from 0 eV up to 15 eV incident photons energy, and it is revealed that the centrosymmetric chloroperovskites QZnCl3 (Q = Li and Na) are optically effective at high absorption coefficients (α(ω)), optical conductivity (σ(ω)), optical reflectivity (R(ω)), and energy loss (L(ω)) functions. The potential energy applications can be deemed for these materials, influencing electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum ranges. In a nutshell, the research on QZnCl3 (Q = Li and Na) demonstrate that these centrosymmetric materials are noteworthy and can be applied as energy storage systems, scintillators, and many other components of present electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The VEGA-3 laser system at the Centro de Láseres Pulsados delivers laser pulses up to 1 PW at 1 Hz repetition rate, focused to intensities up to 2.5 × 10 20 W cm−2. A versatile and compact solid target suitable for up to 0.05 Hz is presented which can operate in the challenging petawatt laser environment close to the laser-plasma interaction. Strips are spooled in a tape target system to deliver a solid density target to the laser focus for every shot. Results are presented for different tape materials and thicknesses, and a shot-to-shot standard deviation of the cut-off energy of 1.5% was obtained for Kapton reinforced aluminium tapes of 9 µ m thickness. Experimental ion spectra are recorded by a Thomson Parabola Ion Spectrometer coupled with a scintillator screen; and an antenna array is used for the characterization of electromagnetic pulses. The results of both diagnostics show a good shot-to-shot stability of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scintillators, owing to their exceptional ability to convert high-energy ionizing radiation into visible light, are the core component of X-ray radiography. However, conventional single-crystal scintillators are inadequate to satisfy the modern social and scientific demands. So, the development of novel scintillator materials is imminent. Herein, a series of Na 5 Lu 9- x Gd x F 32 :Ce3+ glass-ceramics (GCs) scintillators were elaborated by an exercisable and low-cost method. Benefiting from the proper introduction of Al powder and Gd3+, as well as the crystallization of Na 5 Lu 9- x Gd x F 32 nanocrystal (NCs) after heat treatment, luminescence excited by ultraviolet and X-ray of the sample is enhanced significantly. The integrated X-ray excited luminescence intensity of the representative sample can reach up to 128% of that of Bi 4 Ge 3 O 12. More importantly, the sample has excellent irradiation stability that is almost undamaged even exposed to high-energy X-ray radiation. Finally, satisfactory X-ray imaging based on the resultant sample was realized. The spatial resolution is as high as 14 lp mm−1, which exceeds that of many novel perovskite scintillators. Thus, this investigation promotes the development of low-cost, stable and high-performing Ce3+-activated GCs scintillators. • Three effective ways were designed to improve the scintillating property of the sample. • The integrated X-ray excited luminescence reaches 128% of that of Bi 4 Ge 3 O 12. • The sample is undamaged even excited by high-power (12 W) X-ray, infering outstanding irradiation stability. • Satisfactory X-ray imaging based on the sample was achieved. • The spatial resolution reaches 14 lp mm−1, exceeding that of many perovskite scintillators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LuBO3 crystallizes in the calcite type (CaCO3) structure and is a widely applied inorganic host for luminescent materials and scintillators. Even though many scientific works have been published concerning the optical properties of rare-earth-doped LuBO3, so far, no study of the emission spectra as function of the excitation energy of such orthoborates has been conducted. Therefore, this work elaborates on the photoluminescence of RE-doped LuBO3 with RE = Ce3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, or Tb3+, while an emphasize is laid on the energy dependence of these four luminescent compounds. The reflection, emission, and excitation spectra were additionally recorded, and the particle size distribution was determined. Calcite type LuBO3 was successfully obtained, and the characteristic RE luminescence was observed. Furthermore, the Gd3+-doped sample showed no scintillation due to its monovalence and a sensitizer is required to transfer the respective energy to the Gd3+-activator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scintillators, which can convert high‐energy particles (X‐rays) into detectable low‐energy ultraviolet–visible–near‐infrared photons, are essential components of X‐ray detectors and show extensive practical applications in nondestructive detection and medical imaging. Traditionally, inorganic scintillators represented by CsI:Tl have achieved definite progress. However, the harsh preparation conditions, high production cost, and poor mechanical properties impede their potential development in the high‐end X‐ray imaging field. Organic–inorganic hybrid metal complexes could be excellent alternatives, by virtue of their structural and spectral tunability, good solution processability, and excellent photophysical properties. This review mainly focuses on eco‐friendly lead‐free metal (Mn2+, Cu+, Sb3+, Sn2+, Ge2+, Ln3+, etc.) complex scintillators. The luminescence mechanisms are introduced and the scintillation performance, such as light yield, limit of detection, imaging resolution, etc., is highlighted. Moreover, the current challenges and perspectives in this emerging field are described. It is hoped to provide some theoretical guidance for the continuous development of the new scintillator systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) scintillators hold promising potential for applications in medical radiography and security detection, but the poor X‐ray absorption ability and inferior radioluminescence (RL) hampered their progression. Herein, the study has pioneered the development of high‐performance TADF Ag(I)‐based scintillators from M2X2(dppb)2 (M = Ag, Cu; X = Cl, Br, I) complexes with 1,2‐Bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene (dppb) ligand. In comparison with Cu(I) complexes, the Ag(I) series generally exhibited superior scintillation performance. Notably, Ag2Cl2(dppb)2 (Ag1) stands out with exceptionally high RL intensity (≈125% higher than that of CsI:Tl) and a low detection limit of 59.8 nGy s−1. The outstanding scintillation performance of Ag1 is primarily attributed to the synergistic effect of the high exciton utilization efficiency origin from a small singlet‐triplet energy gap, enhanced X‐ray absorption capacity by heavy atoms, and the high photoluminescence quantum yield (76.47% in ambient atmosphere). By fabricating a flexible film constructed with Ag1 submicron crystalline powders, a high spatial resolution of 25.0 lp mm−1 for X‐ray imaging is obtained. It offers new opportunities for utilizing TADF metal–organic complexes for highly efficient X‐ray scintillation and imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping in luminescent metal halides has become an effective strategy for tailoring the optoelectronic properties. Herein, Cu+ is introduced into Rb2AgBr3 to design the synthesis of Rb2AgBr3:xCu+, which possess cold‐white light emission at room‐temperature without changing the spectral profiles; however, the Cu+ incorporation significantly enhances the photoluminescence quantum efficiency to 98.8% in Rb2AgBr3:0.05Cu+. Additionally, a high scintillation light yield of up to 79 250 photons MeV−1 and a low detection limit of 714.83 nGy s−1 have been achieved via this Cu+ doping engineering. X‐ray imaging with a spatial resolution of up to 5.8 lp mm−1 is further realized using a large scintillator film prepared by mixing polydimethylsiloxane with Cu+ doped Rb2AgBr3 scintillators. This study provides a Cu+ doping design principle for improving both the photoluminescence and scintillation performances of metal halides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead‐free halide perovskite‐based X‐ray scintillators with high light yield (LY) and low detection limit (LOD) have become a growing subject of research interest due to their promising application in a wide range of areas, from security to healthcare. Herein, a modified hot injection method is employed to synthesize Mn(II)‐doped Cs2NaBiCl6 double perovskite nanocrystals (DPNCs) and to examine their scintillating properties for application in X‐ray imaging and detection. The Mn(II)‐doped Cs2NaBiCl6 DPNCs exhibit a broad orange photoluminescence (PL) band at 586 nm with a PL quantum yield of 10.6%, attributed to the 4T2g(4G) → 6A1g(6S) transition of Mn2+. Temperature‐dependent PL and time‐resolved PL spectra of 4.04% Mn(II)‐doped Cs2NaBiCl6 demonstrate that the orange emission intensity initially reaches a maximum and subsequently decreases, while the decay lifetimes monotonically decrease with increasing temperature. This inconsistency can be due to the effect of the [MnCl6]4− octahedra and electron‐phonon coupling at elevated temperatures. Further, 0.05 mm thick Cs2NaBiCl6:4.04%Mn@poly(methyl methacrylate) scintillator film is synthesized with an LY of 28,350 photons MeV−1 and a LOD of 45.2 nGyair s−1. Additionally, this film demonstrates good X‐ray imaging performance with a spatial resolution of 14.76 line pairs (lp) mm−1 and shows exceptional stability under prolonged X‐ray exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term “light yield” (LY) refers to the ability of scintillator materials to convert high‐energy radiation into visible light. A higher LY corresponds to improved energy and spatial resolution in detectors. The enhancement of scintillator material performance is a crucial aspect of their development. In this study, the Cs2TeCl6 (CTC) double perovskite microcrystals is synthesized, and the broadband yellow emission shows a high degree of matching with the Charge‐coupled Device (CCD). However, the LY of CTC is poor for practical applications in X‐ray imaging. The scintillation performance is significantly enhanced through hafnium alloying. The LY increased from ≈4167 to 38 523 photons/MeV, and the detection limit decreased from 948 to 258 nGy s−1. The underlying mechanism of Te4+ ions emission is systematically explored through density function theory (DFT) analysis, along with investigations into pressure‐dependent photoluminescence, temperature‐dependent photoluminescence, and low‐temperature thermoluminescence. Furthermore, a flexible X‐ray scintillator screen with an outstanding high spatial resolution of 15.9 lp mm−1 is successfully fabricated. This work not only represents a substantial advancement in the scintillation performance of Te4+ ions emission double perovskite microcrystals but also provides an effective strategy for the development of the next generation of halide scintillators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photoluminescent properties of lanthanide complexes have been thoroughly investigated; however, there have been much fewer studies showcasing their potential use in ionizing radiation detection. In this work, we delve into the photo‐ and radio‐induced luminescence of a series of lanthanide‐bearing organic‐inorganic hybrids and their potential as a platform for X‐ray scintillation and imaging. The judicious synergy between lanthanide cations and 2,6‐di(1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)isonicotinate (bppCOO−) ligands affords six new materials with three distinct structures. Notably, Eu‐bppCOO‐1 and Tb‐bppCOO‐2 display sharp fingerprint X‐ray‐excited luminescence (XEL), the intensities of which can be linearly correlated with the X‐ray dose rates over a broad dynamic range (0.007–4.55 mGy s−1). Moreover, the X‐ray sensing efficacies of Eu‐bppCOO‐1 and Tb‐bppCOO‐2 were evaluated, showing that Tb‐bppCOO‐2 features a lower detection limit of 4.06 μGy s−1 compared to 14.55 μGy s−1 of Eu‐bppCOO‐1. Given the higher X‐ray sensitivity and excellent radiation stability of Tb‐bppCOO‐2, we fabricated a flexible scintillator film for X‐ray imaging by embedding finely ground Tb‐bppCOO‐2 in the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer. The resulting scintillator film can be utilized for high‐resolution X‐ray imaging with a spatial resolution of approximately 7 lp mm−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]