Deep UV emitting scintillators for alpha and beta particle detection

Several deep UV emitting scintillators, whose emission falls in the solar blind region of the spectrum (200–280 nm), are described and their scintillator properties are characterized. They include LaPO4:Pr, YPO4:Pr, YAlO3:Pr, Pr(PO3)3, YPO4:Bi and ScPO4. These materials would facilitate the detection of ionizing radiation in open areas, even during the daylight hours, and could be used to support large area surveys that monitor for the presence of ionization radiation due, for example, to system leaks or transfer contamination. These materials can be used in the form of powders, thin films or paints for radiation detection. They are characterized for both beta radiation using electron beams (2-35 keV) and 137Cs and alpha radiations using 241Am sources. Their absolute light yields are estimated and are compared to that of Y2SiO5:Ce. Their light yields decrease as a function of electron energy but at 10 keV they approach 8000 ph/MeV.