Properties of a YAP:Ce detector for high-energy X-ray counting experiments

We designed a YAP:Ce scintillation detector for high-energy and high-rate X-ray experiments. The energy spectra and count-rate behavior were measured for 50.0, 28.0 and 16.5-keV synchrotron X-rays. Using a scintillator crystal 25 mm in diameter and 1 mm thick, an energy resolution of 24% (FWHM) was obtained at 7×105 counts/s for 50 keV X-rays. The intrinsic efficiency was 79%. A maximum count rate of 5.25×106 s−1 was observed and the dead time corresponded to 72 ns, according to a counting model for pulsed X-rays. The results for a 5-mm thick crystal are also described.