Improved light yield and growth of large-volume ultrafast single crystal scintillators Cs2ZnCl4 and Cs3ZnCl5.

Due to their reported fast decay times, Cs 2 ZnCl 4 and Cs 3 ZnCl 5 are promising candidates for detection of gamma rays and X-rays in high count rate and fast timing applications. In this work, we show that single crystals with better optical quality than previously demonstrated – and larger in size – can be grown via the vertical Bridgman method. Highly transparent Ø7 mm crystals of undoped Cs 2 ZnCl 4 and Cs 3 ZnCl 5 are grown and measured to have light yields surpassing those previously reported, achieving 1980 ± 100 ph/MeV and 1460 ± 70 ph/MeV at 662 keV – a 55% and 232% improvement, respectively. We observe single-component scintillation decay times for both Cs 2 ZnCl 4 (1.66 ns) and Cs 3 ZnCl 5 (0.82 ns) and radioluminescence emission with maximum intensity at ∼290 nm. Scalability of these materials is also evaluated based on growth of Ø22 mm crystals. Minimal cracking is observed, and the fast decay times are maintained at this size. Coincidence time resolution of 3 × 3 × 5 mm3 and 7 × 7 × 10 mm3 pixels cut from Ø22 mm Cs 2 ZnCl 4 are measured to be 148 ± 1 ps FWHM and 175 ± 1 ps FWHM, respectively. The improved performance and ability to be fabricated in large sizes now place Cs 2 ZnCl 4 and Cs 3 ZnCl 5 on the map as potential contenders for radiation detection applications where BaF 2 – the most commonly used ultrafast inorganic scintillator – is typically considered. • Single crystals of Cs 2 ZnCl 4 and Cs 3 ZnCl 5 were grown by the vertical Bridgman method. • Cs 2 ZnCl 4 had a scintillation decay time of 1.66 ns and light yield of 1980 ph/MeV at 662 keV. • Cs 3 ZnCl 5 had a scintillation decay time of 0.82 ns and light yield of 1460 ph/MeV at 662 keV. • The coincidence time resolution of Cs 2 ZnCl 4 was measured to be as good as 136 ± 2 ps FWHM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]