Glass scintillator: A window to future high-energy radiation detection

Public summary

• This review focuses on the mechanism, preparation, properties, and applications of glass scintillator (GS).

• GS is evaluated in four directions: density, light yield, decay time, and irradiation resistance.

• The applications of GS are prospected in high-energy physics, cosmic ray imaging and nuclear medicine.

• The future of GS should consider balance performance, reduce afterglow, and standardize characterization.

Abstract

With the significant progress of high-energy physics, nuclear science, and technology, the demand for high-performance scintillators is growing rapidly. Among solid-state scintillators, glass scintillators would play a vital role in the field of high-energy radiation detections because of their merits including low cost, batch production, and arbitrariness in shape. In this review article, the research and development of glass scintillators is introduced with respect to the following key parameters including: density, light yield, scintillation decay time, and radiation hardness. The scintillation mechanisms, preparation methods particularly for Ce3+-activated glasses, standard testing methods, scintillation performance, and applications of glass scintillators are comprehensively reviewed and critically discussed. Finally, the problems existing in the research field are presented and the future development directions of glass scintillators for performance improvement are suggested.