Trends and patterns of scintillator nonproportionality

TL;DR

This paper systematically analyzes photon nonproportional response in 33 inorganic scintillators, revealing correlations with chemical composition, dopant type, and fundamental properties like refractive index and valence band width.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of nonproportionality trends across various inorganic scintillators, highlighting key factors influencing proportionality.

Findings

Higher refractive index correlates with better proportionality.

Larger valence band width in halides improves proportionality.

Systematic data analysis of 33 scintillator materials.

Abstract

Data on the photon nonproportional response of 33 inorganic scintillation materials are systemized and analyzed. The main trends of nonproportionality for different groups of inorganic scintillators, especially for oxides and halides, are highlighted. The dependence of the shape and degree of photon nonproportional response versus chemical composition, dopant type, refractive index and other fundamental properties of the materials is studied. Better proportionality appears to be correlated with higher refractive index of the compound. Another related factor is the width of the valence band in halide compounds. With larger valence band width from fluorides, to chlorides, to bromides, and to iodides, a better proportionality is observed.