Cerium Fluoride (CeF₃) is a high-performance inorganic scintillation crystal valued for its fast response, good light output, high density, and excellent radiation hardness. It efficiently converts ionizing radiation into visible light, enabling accurate detection and measurement of high-energy particles and gamma rays.
Due to its short decay time and strong resistance to radiation damage, CeF₃ is particularly well suited for high counting-rate and high time-resolution applications in medical imaging, particle physics, security, and industrial inspection.
Key Properties of Cerium Fluoride (CeF₃)
- High Light Yield: Generates strong scintillation signals, improving detection sensitivity and signal clarity.
- Fast Scintillation Decay: Rapid response supports high event rates and precise timing measurements.
- Excellent Radiation Hardness: Maintains stable performance in high-radiation environments over long operating periods.
- High Density & Effective Stopping Power: Efficient absorption of gamma rays and high-energy particles for accurate measurements.
Crystal & Scintillation Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | CeF₃ |
| Crystal Structure | Hexagonal system |
| Density | 6.16 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1324 °C |
| Radiation Length | 17 mm |
| Refractive Index | 1.68 |
| Emission Peaks | 340 nm (slow), 310 nm (fast) |
| Decay Constants | 30 ns (slow), 8 ns (fast) |
| Light Output | ~8.6% (relative) |
| Cleavage Plane | (0001) |
CeF₃ offers a balanced combination of fast timing and adequate light output for high-rate detection.
Typical Applications of CeF₃
- Nuclear medicine (gamma-ray detection in PET and related diagnostic systems)
- High-energy physics (particle detectors and accelerator experiments)
- Homeland security & radiation monitoring (radioactive material detection and surveillance)
- Industrial radiography & NDT (non-destructive testing and material inspection)
Shape Optics CeF₃ Capabilities
Shape Optics Technologies supplies high-quality CeF₃ scintillation crystals and crystal blanks, backed by over 20 years of optical and crystal-processing expertise.
Product & Service Offering
- CeF₃ scintillation crystals for radiation detection
- High-quality CeF₃ crystal blank materials
- OEM and custom crystal solutions for detector systems
Why Choose Cerium Fluoride (CeF₃)?
CeF₃ is an excellent choice for applications requiring:
- Fast timing and high counting-rate capability
- Strong radiation resistance
- Reliable performance under intense irradiation
Its combination of high density, fast decay, and durability makes CeF₃ well suited for high-resolution and high-throughput scintillation measurements.