Large GSO single crystals with a diameter of 100 mm and their scintillation performance

Cerium-doped Gd₂SiO₅ (GSO) scintillator has good scintillation properties such as high density, intense light output, short decay time, excellent temperature stability and extremely good energy resolution. In order to apply GSO single-crystal scintillators to a commercial PET, we have tried to increase the size of the GSO single-crystal for increasing production capacity and reducing production cost. To grow the large GSO single-crystal, we have optimized growth conditions and atmosphere in the furnace. We have developed growing technology of large GSO single crystals with a diameter of 100 mm. Thousands of specimens with a size of 4 × 6 × 20 mm³ were sampled from each ingot. Uniformity of the light output, energy resolution and decay time in the crystal has been demonstrated for PET application.