MANUFACTURING A CERIUM-DOPED LUTETIUM OXYORTHOSILICATE SCINTILLATOR BOULE

摘要

A Cerium-Doped Lutetium Oxyorthosilicate scintillator boule having a graded decay time. The method for manufacturing an LSO:Ce crystal boule (20) having a decay time gradient decreasing from the top end to the bottom end first includes the step selecting an iridium crucible. The crucible (12) is selected based upon its diameter relative to the diameter defined by said crystal boule (20). The crucible (12) is also selected based upon its volume relative to the volume of the crystal boule (20) to be grown. A Cerium dopant (CeO2) is added to a mixture of Lutetium Oxide (Lu2O3) and Silicon Dioxide (SiO2). The composition is heated until melted to define a melt (16). A seed crystal is then placed in contact with the melt (16), is rotated, and slowly withdrawn, thereby yielding an LSO:Ce crystal boule defining a decay time gradient.