Glass Scintillators

The preparation of scintillating glasses is currently being studied with principal emphasis on the use of cerium as an activator. The most efficient material investigated to date is a cerium activated high silica glass prepared originally by the Corning Glass Company. The pulse height of this material has been found to be as high as 10 per cent that of NaI(Tl), but its efficiency is dependent upon the purity of the high silica glass from which it is prepared. Conventional meltable glasses activated with cerium have been prepared which have a pulse height of 7 per cent of NaI(Tl). The pulse height of these meltable glasses is dependent upon their composition. Alkaline earths have been found to be deleterious, whereas the presence of aluminum has been found to be beneficial. The most efficient composition to date has been found to be 1.ONa2O, 0.30Ce2O3, 3.0-4.0(B2O3 + SiO2), 1.0-1.3Al2O3. Methods of preparation of both meltable and high silica glass type glasses as well as their optical properties are described.