Cerium fluoride (CeF3) is a significant material in the field of scintillation crystals, valued for its efficient luminescence properties and robust physical characteristics. Scintillation crystals like CeF3 are used to detect and measure ionizing radiation by converting these high-energy particles and photons into visible light, which can then be measured and analyzed.
Properties of Cerium Fluoride:
- High Light Yield: CeF3 is known for its high light yield, which means it can produce a substantial amount of visible light per unit of absorbed radiation, enhancing its detection sensitivity.
- Fast Decay Time: It features a relatively fast decay time, allowing for quick response to radiation events, which is crucial for applications requiring rapid data collection and processing.
- Radiation Hardness: CeF3 exhibits excellent resistance to radiation damage, making it suitable for use in high-radiation environments such as nuclear facilities and high-energy physics research.
- Dense Material: The high density of CeF3 increases its effectiveness in stopping and measuring high-energy particles and gamma rays, providing accurate measurements.
Applications:
- Nuclear Medicine: In medical imaging technologies, such as positron emission tomography (PET), CeF3 crystals are used to detect gamma rays emitted by radiotracers within the body, aiding in diagnostics and research.
- High-Energy Physics: Researchers use CeF3 in particle detectors to track and identify particles in accelerators and experimental setups due to its rapid response and durability under intense conditions.
- Homeland Security: CeF3 scintillators are employed in radiation detectors for security applications, including monitoring of radioactive materials and environmental surveillance.
- Industrial Radiography: Used in non-destructive testing equipment to inspect materials and components, CeF3 crystals help detect flaws and ensure material integrity by capturing emitted radiation from a source through the object being examined.
The manufacturing and handling of CeF3 require precise control to maintain its scintillation efficiency and structural integrity. The quality of the crystal is pivotal for the performance of scintillation detectors in various scientific, medical, and security applications.
Shapeoptics is Able to Offer
- Good quality CeF3 scintillation crystal
- Good quality CeF3 crystal blank materials
- OEM service for good quality CeF3 crystals
Crystal Properties
| Density / g.cm-3 | 6.16 |
| Melting Point / ℃ | 1324 |
| Refractive Index | 1.68 |
| Radiation Length / mm | 17 |
| Emission Peak / nm | 340 nm slow; 310 nm fast |
| Decay Constant / ns | 30 slow; 8 fast |
| Light Output | 8.6% |
| Crystal Structure | Hexagonal System |
| Cleavage Plane | (0001) |
Cerium Fluoride is a good scintillation crystal with high density and short decay time. It is a suitable material in the measurements application of high counting rate, strong absorption irradiation and high time resolu- tion process.
Shapeoptics offers a comprehensive range of materials and advanced equipment for custom and OEM optical components, leveraging over 20 years of expertise in manufacturing lenses, prisms, windows, and more. We utilize high-quality materials like UV and IR grade fused silica, Germanium, and ZnSe, among others. Our state-of-the-art techniques and equipment minimize waste and optimize delivery times. Our in-house capabilities include standard and custom coatings across the UV-NIR spectrum, ensuring high quality and compliance with all industry standards. For precision and reliability in optics, contact Shapeoptics for your next project.
