Cerium bromide scintillation detectors

In this study, CeBr₃ crystals were grown by the vertical Bridgman method from the starting material with nominal purity of 99.999%. The size of the single crystal was approximately 60 mm in length and 8 mm in diameter. The grown crystals were cut into small pieces. The crystal was connected to a photodetector (Si APD or Si photodiode) and energy spectra were measured by irradiating them with 662 keV gamma-rays at room temperature. An FWHM energy resolution of 662 keV gamma-rays obtained with the CeBr₃ coupled to the APD was measured to be 40 keV (6.1%), which is 2 times better than that obtained with a GSO scintillator at the same condition.