Advanced Halide Scintillators: From the Bulk to Nano

Abstract

Halide scintillators play a crucial role in the detection of ionizing radiation since the discovery of scintillation in NaI:Tl in 1948. The discovery of NaI:Tl motivated the research and development (R&D) of halide scintillators resulting in the development of CsI:Tl, CsI:Na, CaF$_2$:Eu, etc. Later, the R&D shifted toward oxide materials due to their high mechanical and chemical stability, good scintillation properties, and relative ease of bulk single crystal growth. However, the development in crystal growth technology allowed for the growth of high-quality single crystals of hygroscopic and mechanically fragile materials including SrI$_2$ and LaBr$_3$. Scintillators based on these materials exhibit excellent performance and push the limits of inorganic scintillators. These results motivated intense research of a large variety of halide-based scintillators. Moreover, materials based on lead halide perovskites found application in the fields of photovoltaics, solid-state lighting, and lasers. The first studies show also the significant potential of lead halide perovskites as ultrafast scintillators in the form of NCs. The purpose of this review is to summarize the R&D in the field of halide scintillators during the last decade and to highlight perspectives for future development.