Standard and Enhanced Lanthanum Bromide [LaBr3] scintillation materials have been the reference for excellent energy resolution combined with fast emission and good linearity. Since the fall of 2016, we have been manufacturing Enhanced Lanthanum Bromide [LaBr3(Ce+Sr)] scintillation crystal, which raises the bar for energy resolution.
- Best energy resolution for improved isotope identification in RIID application
- Fast emission enabling high count rate capability for extended measurement capability (time of flight, fast analysis)
- High density and good stopping power to reduce crystal size (vs NaI), in RIID or high signal efficiency for all high energy applications (PGNAA, physics)
- Excellent light output stability with temperature to allow the best identification performance, even if high temperature
LaBr3 scintillation materials provide an excellent energy resolution for a scintillator. The FWHM (full width at half maximum) for a 2" diameter by 2" long crystal has been measured at 2.6%. FWHM of the Enhanced LaBr3 scintillation detector has been measured at 2.2% at 662keV.
Enhanced Lanthanum Bromide scintillator material maintains most of the excellent properties of the standard Lanthanum Bromide and improves the energy resolution. The co-doped Enhanced Lanthanum Bromide scintillator provides a new feature: the difference in decay time for gamma and alpha-particles interactions that are not observed in the standard LaBr3 scintillator. That creates a valuable option to eliminate the contribution of natural intrinsic background activity through digital pulse-shaped discrimination technique.
A unique aspect of LaBr is the background peak that can be used as a built-in reference for stabilization. 1436 + 32keV may be used as a calibration peak or as a constant and known activity that can be subtracted to get K40 yield.
|
Typical Background Count Rates/cc |
LaBr3(Ce) | Enhanced LaBr3(Ce+Sr) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-255 keV beta continuum | 0.277 Bq/cc | 0.272 Bq/cc |
| 790 keV – 1000 keV gamma and beta | 0.104 Bq /cc | 0.102 Bq/cc |
| 1468 keV gamma peaks | 0.063 Bq/cc | 0.061 Bq/cc |
| Alphas above 1600 keV | 0.119 Bq/cc* (<0.2 Bq/cc) |
0.089 Bq/cc* (<0.2 Bq/cc) |
* These are typical values provided as examples. In case of specific need, please contact us.
Self-counting background count to 3000 keV
| Lanthanum Bromide | Enhanced Lanthanum Bromide | |
|---|---|---|
| Photoelectron yield [% of NaI(Tl)] (for γ-rays)) | 165 | >190 |
| Energy resolution [%] @ 662 keV | 2.6% | 2.2% |
| Wavelength of emission max [nm] | 380 | 385 |
| Refractive index @ emission max | ~1.9 | ~2.0 |
| Primary decay time [μs] | 0.016 | 0.025 |
| Light yield [photons/keVγ] | 63 | 73 |
| Density [g/cm3] | 5.08 | 5.08 |
| Hygroscopic | yes | yes |
Light sensor and integration, as well as the use of specific electronics, are key to optimizing performance.
LaBr3 puts out so much light, so quickly that one needs to be careful in PMT selection or SiPM design, otherwise the sensors will saturate or lose dynamic range. We know how to solve this problem, which is why Lanthanum Bromide scintillation crystals are only available as integrated designs.
Lanthanum Bromide is hygroscopic and must be hermetically packaged with a light-sensing device [such as a photomultiplier tube (PMT) or silicon photomultiplier (SiPM)]. The proper packaging and integration of scintillation crystals is a science combining advanced design and engineering skills with proven assembly techniques and materials to produce stable, high-resolution radiation detectors.
Luxium Solutions has a long experience with materials of construction, process and seals that give very long life. This becomes especially important given that LaBr3 is highly hygroscopic. Luxium Solutions gets high marks for MTBF (meantime between failures) and nuclear performances. For mission-critical devices, MTBF is a very important parameter – our designs are time tested on LaBrand Enhanced LaBr.
Offering a variety of detector designs to fulfill most radiation counting applications. It can also be packaged for high temperature, rugged environment for oil well logging application.
Premium designs provide the best performances but have a PMT with a diameter slighter larger than the scintillation crystal diameter. Compact designs use a PMT with the same diameter as the scintillation crystal.
For “Premium” designs, we are able to guarantee 3.0% @ 662keV for LaBr and 2.5% @ 662keV for Enhanced LaBr.
Typically, for “Compact” designs, we are able to guarantee 3.5% @ 662keV for LaBr and 3.0% @ 662keV for Enhanced LaBr.
To illustrate, here is the design of the compact 51S51/2/LaBr (2-4-5994) and the equivalent premium design 51S51/3/LaBr (2-3-6214). The crystal dimensions are the same, but the PMT diameter is different.
Standard integrated designs are available up to a 3" diameter by 3" long scintillator. Larger designs can be produced upon request. Luxium Solutions can grow LaBr3 crystals upto3.5’’ in diameter and 8” in length.
- Standard integrated designs are available with up to a 3" diameter by 3" long.
- Routine sizes; 1" diameter x 1", 1.5" dia. x 1.5", 2" dia. x 2", 3" dia. x 3" cylinders
- Have achieved 97mm (3.8") dia. X 244mm (9.7") length with standard LaBr3(Ce)
Elongated designs with a crystal 1" diameter by 4" long have been used when position information is required by the application. X-ray detectors with thin crystals 2.5mm thick to serve high count-rate applications.
Associated electronics have been developed to offer you a choice of designs optimized for spectroscopic performance.
| Standard Configurations with Typical Energy Resolution Values – | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scintillator | Model |
Scintillator Dimensions |
PMT dia. / pins |
137Cs (662keV) End on |
|
| LaBr3(Ce) | 25S25/1.5 | 1" dia. x 1" thick | 1.5" 12-pin | ≤ 3.5% | |
| LaBr3(Ce) | 38S38/2 | 1.5" dia. x 1.5" thick | 2" 14-pin | ≤ 3.0% | |
| LaBr3(Ce) | 51S51/3 | 2" dia. x 2" thick | 2" 14-pin | ≤ 3.0% | |
| LaBr3(Ce) | 76S76/3.5 | 3" dia. x 3" thick | 3.5" 14-pin | ≤ 3.0% | |
| Enh. LaBr3(Ce) | 25S25/1.5 | 1" dia. x 1" thick | 1.5" 12-pin | ≤ 3.0% | |
| Enh. LaBr3(Ce) | 38S38/2 | 1.5" dia. x 1.5" thick | 2" 14-pin | ≤ 2.5% | |
| Enh. LaBr3(Ce) | 51S51/3 | 2" dia. x 2" thick | 2" 14-pin | ≤ 2.5% | |
| Enh. LaBr3(Ce) | 76S76/3.5 | 3" dia. x 3" thick | 3.5" 14-pin | ≤ 2.5% | |
Plug-on voltage divider and voltage divider/preamplifier modules have been developed to match the special characteristics of the Lanthanum Bromide materials. Use of specific electronics, are key to optimizing performance
Common characteristics of these electronics are:
- Standard sockets: 12-pin – FE1012 or 14-pin – FE1014
- High voltage connector: SHV - refer to Table 2; or BNC/HT (MHV) - refer to the table
- BNC for the signal connector
- Power connector:
- 9-pin socket (P/N Amphenol 17DE09S)1
- 2-pin socket (P/N Radiall BR2 R605.550.000)2
- Power supply: +/-12V
| PMT Details | Voltage Divider | Voltage Divider / Preamplifier | Adapter | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter | Description | AS20 | AS2712 Positive Output |
AS2612 Negative Output |
|
| US Standard Plug-on Electronics' Part Numbers – SHV and 9-pin Power Connector | |||||
| 1.5" | 12-pin, 8 stages* | 6-4-6243 | 6-4-6228 | 6-4-6224 | 9-3-5555 |
| 2", 3”, 3.5” | 14-pin, 8 stages** | 6-4-6242 | 6-4-6227 | 6-4-6223 | 9-3-6029 |
| European Standard Plug-on Electronics' Part Numbers – BNC/HT (MHV) and 2-pin Power Connector | |||||
| 1.5" | 12-pin, 8 stages* | 6-4-5663 | 6-4-5673 | 6-4-5671 | 9-3-5555 |
| 2", 3”, 3.5” | 14-pin, 8 stages** | 6-4-5662 | 6-4-5672 | 6-4-5670 | 9-3-6029 |
|
1 Mating plug (Amphenol P/N 17DE09P) |
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