Space applications of GAGG:Ce scintillators: a study of afterglow emission by proton irradiation

TL;DR

This study investigates the afterglow emission of GAGG:Ce scintillators under proton irradiation, modeling its impact on satellite detector performance over long-term space missions.

Contribution

It introduces an original model of GAGG:Ce afterglow emission based on proton irradiation data, applied to satellite detector performance estimation.

Findings

Proton irradiation causes measurable afterglow in GAGG:Ce crystals.

The model estimates detector performance degradation due to afterglow.

Results inform design considerations for space-based scintillation detectors.

Abstract

We discuss the results of a proton irradiation campaign of a GAGG:Ce (Cerium-doped Gadolinium Aluminium Gallium Garnet) scintillation crystal, carried out in the framework of the HERMES-TP/SP (High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites -- Technological and Scientific Pathfinder) mission. A scintillator sample was irradiated with 70 MeV protons, at levels equivalent to those expected in equatorial and sun-synchronous low-Earth orbits over orbital periods spanning 6 months to 10 years. The data we acquired are used to introduce an original model of GAGG:Ce afterglow emission. Results from this model are applied to the HERMES-TP/SP scenario, aiming at an upper-bound estimate of the detector performance degradation resulting from afterglow emission.