General Electric Company
Radiation detection apparatus and related method

Abstract:

A method and an apparatus for detecting photons are disclosed. The apparatus includes a scintillator single crystal and an avalanche photodiode coupled to the scintillator single crystal. The scintillator single crystal is at a temperature greater than about 175.degree. C. and at a shock level in a range from about 20 Grms to about 30 Grms. The scintillator single crystal includes a praseodymium doped composition selected from (La.sub.xY.sub.1-x)2Si.sub.2O.sub.7:Pr, ABCl.sub.3-yX.sub.y:Pr, A.sub.2(Li,Na)LaCl.sub.6-yX.sub.y:Pr, or any combinations thereof. As used herein A is cesium, rubidium, potassium, sodium, or a combination thereof, B is calcium, barium, strontium, magnesium, cadmium, zinc, or a combination thereof, and X is bromine, iodine, or a combination thereof. Further, (0<x<1), and (0<y<3).