Growth and scintillation properties of Nd doped LiCaAlF6 scintilltor

Nd³⁺ 0.5% doped single crystal LiCaAlF₆ scintillator was grown by the micro-pulling down (¿-PD) method. It was cut and polished to the physical dimension of 1 × 2 × 7 mm³. In transmittance spectrum, Nd³⁺ 5d-4f absorption observed at 175 nm and the transmittance became 80% at wavelength longer than 180 nm. Excited by 160 nm, Nd³⁺ 5d-4f emission appeared at 180 nm. X-ray induced radio-luminescence spectrum showed the similar feature with the photoluminescence one. When coupled with PMT and irradiated by ²⁴¹Am ¿-ray, the absolute light yield resulted 50 ph/5.5 MeV ¿.