Sodium activated cesium iodide scintillator

Abstract

This invention comprises a scintillator capable of generating light radiation upon exposure to nuclear radiation such as gamma rays, beta rays, X-rays, etc., in which the transparent optically integral crystalline component thereof consists of a major amount of cesium iodide and a minor amount of a sodium compound, this material being characterized by having an emission peak of about 4200±100 angstrom units.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A scintillator comprising a transparent optically integral .[.crystalline.]. .Iadd.single crystal .Iaddend.material consisting of a major amount of cesium iodide and a minor amount of a sodium compound .Iadd.in solid solution therein.Iaddend., said material being characterized by having an emission peak at about 4200±100 angstrom units .Iadd.wherein the sodium concentration is from about 0.01 mole percent to about 0.220 mole percent. .Iaddend. .[.2. A scintillator according to claim 1 wherein the sodium concentration is from about 0.01 mole percent to about 0.220 mole percent..]. .[.3. A scintillator according to claim 2 wherein the cesium iodide is in the form of a single 
     
     
        crystal and the sodium compound is in solid solution therein..]. 4. A scintillator according to claim .[.2 wherein the sodium compound is in solid solution in the cesium iodide and.]. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.being further characterized by having an emission band within the range of about 3500 to about 5000 angstrom units and having a decay constant of about 0.65 microsecond.