Garnet scintillator-based devices for gamma-ray spectroscopy

We are developing scintillator based gamma-ray spectrometers for homeland security and safeguards applications. Improving the energy resolution of such scintillator detectors enables the development of more accurate and effective instruments. We have characterized the response of several Ce doped garnet scintillators using radioactive sources. These garnet scintillators have multiple decay components. We have acquired pulse height spectra using conventional analog electronics as well as digital electronics with additional postprocessing. By making use of the long decay components, energy resolution can be improved. We are working to implement the inclusion of the long decay times into real-time processing algorithms.