ARI-MA: From Ce:YAG to Ce:GGG for high energy resolution high efficiency gamma detection - a novel and powerful class of scintillators

ARI-MA：从Ce：YAG到Ce：GGG的高能量分辨率高效伽马探测--一类新颖而强大的闪烁体这项研究的目的是转移和加强与掺Ce的稀土铝石榴石和其他石榴石材料作为辐射探测器的材料性能有关的内在缺陷的知识。缺陷将在一个从晶体生长、炉膛温度分布、掺杂方案和生长后处理到探测器性能表征的完全集成的过程中与晶体生长过程联系起来。中子探测能力可能会在项目的后期实施。该项目的学术价值是通过“缺陷工程学”对化合物进行重大改进的预期学术基础。预计这些进展将导致石榴石闪烁辐射探测器的能量分辨率大幅提高，与现有最好的晶体材料竞争，同时在化学和机械性能方面更优越，更容易制造。这项拟议的工作还将提供对微观缺陷的关键理解。这项研究还有几个预期的更广泛的影响。该项目将培养晶体种植专家，这是美国经济和国家安全迫切需要的技能，以及材料科学家，他们将了解晶体生长条件与应用中晶体质量的紧密关联。学生还将接触和教育广泛的诊断工具的使用。预计开放参观和向潜在学生和访问高中班级的一般演示将提高高质量晶体生长在学术和非学术社区中的可见度。该项目还将纳入本科生的研究经验。最后，“缺陷工程学”的预期见解有望在其他领域带来新的应用，如核医学和正电子发射断层扫描诊断学。

ARI-MA: From Ce:YAG to Ce:GGG for High Energy Resolution High Efficiency Gamma Detection - A Novel and Powerful Class of ScintillatorsThe objective of this research is to transfer and strengthen knowledge of intrinsic defects linked to a material's performance as a radiation detector in cerium doped yttrium aluminum garnet and other garnet materials. Defects will be linked to the crystal growth process in a fully integrated process from crystal growth, furnace temperature profiling, doping schemes and post-growth treatments to the characterization of detector performance. Neutron detection capability may be implemented during the latter part of the project. The intellectual merit of the project is the anticipated academic foundation for significant improvements in compounds through "defect engineering". It is anticipated that the advances will lead to a dramatic improvement in the energy resolution of garnet scintillating radiation detectors, competitive with the best crystal materials available, while superior in chemical and mechanical properties and easier to fabricate. The proposed work will also provide crucial understanding of microscopic defects. There are several anticipated broader impacts of the research. The project will educate expert crystal growers, a skill in dire need for the US economy and national security, and materials scientists who will understand the tight correlation of growth conditions to the quality of the crystals in applications. Students will also be exposed and educated in the use of a broad range of diagnostic tools. Open houses and general presentations to potential students and visiting high school classes are envisioned to increase the visibility of high quality crystal growth in academic and non-academic communities. Research experiences for undergraduates will also be incorporated in the project. Finally, the expected insights from "defect engineering" will, hopefully, also bring about new applications in other fields such as nuclear medicine and diagnostics through positron emission tomography.