PbWO4 Crystals

Lead tungstate (PbWO4), a novel scintillating crystal, stands out as one of the densest oxide crystals, with a density of 8.3 g/cm³. It boasts a short radiation length of 0.9 cm, a small Molière radius of 2.19 cm, and exceptional irradiation hardness. The scintillation light output of PbWO4 peaks in the blue-green spectral region (450-550 nm), accompanied by a fast component decay time ranging from 2 to 20 nanoseconds. Notably, after exposure to gamma-ray irradiation up to 10⁶ rad, the degradation in optical transmittance remains minimal, highlighting its stability under harsh conditions. As such, PbWO4 is widely regarded as a promising scintillation material for high-energy electromagnetic spectrometers in physics experiments and medical applications.

Property:

Properties	Value	Unit
Density	8.28	g/cm³
Radiation Length	0.92	cm
Decay Constant	6/30	ns
Wavelength of Emission Peak	440/530	nm
Light yield(of NaI:Tl)	0.5	%
Melting Point	1396	K
Hardness	/	mohs
refractive Index	2.16	/
Hygroscopic	no	/
Cleavage	(101)	/

Main Advantages:

High Density

Advantage: PbWO₄ has a high density of 8.3 g/cm³.

Benefit: This high density provides substantial stopping power for high-energy photons, which enhances the accuracy and effectiveness of radiation detection and imaging systems.

Short Radiation Length

Advantage: The radiation length of PbWO₄ is 0.9 cm.

Benefit: This short radiation length improves the interaction efficiency of high-energy photons, contributing to compact and precise detector designs.

Small Molière Radius

Advantage: PbWO₄ has a small Molière radius of 2.19 cm.

Benefit: The small Molière radius allows for compact electromagnetic showers, enhancing spatial resolution and measurement precision in detectors.

Strong Radiation Hardness

Advantage: PbWO₄ exhibits strong resistance to radiation damage.

Benefit: The crystal maintains its performance and optical properties even after exposure to high radiation levels, making it suitable for high-radiation environments.

Scintillation Light Output

Advantage: The scintillation light output peaks between 450 and 550 nm.

Benefit: This range aligns well with the sensitivity of common photodetectors, ensuring efficient light collection and accurate measurement.

Fast Decay Time

Advantage: PbWO₄ has a fast decay time ranging from 2 to 20 ns.

Benefit: The rapid light output decay improves time resolution and minimizes signal overlap in fast-paced experiments and imaging applications.

Optical Stability

Advantage: The degradation in optical transmittance after irradiation is minimal up to 10⁶ rad.

Benefit: This optical stability ensures long-term reliability and performance in high-radiation environments.

Versatility

Advantage: PbWO₄ is applicable in both high-energy physics experiments and medical imaging.

Benefit: Its excellent properties make it a versatile choice for a range of advanced applications, from particle detectors to diagnostic imaging systems.

Applications:

High-Energy Physics Experiments

Application: PbWO₄ is employed in electromagnetic calorimeters.

Benefit: Its high density, short radiation length, and small Molière radius make it ideal for precise measurement of high-energy photons and particles in particle physics experiments.

Medical Imaging

Application: Used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners.

Benefit: The crystal’s fast scintillation response and high radiation hardness improve image quality and diagnostic accuracy in medical imaging.

Particle Detectors

Application: Utilized in various particle detectors for measuring radiation and particle interactions.

Benefit: The fast decay time and strong radiation hardness make PbWO₄ suitable for high-precision and high-rate detection environments.

Calorimetry

Application: Used in electromagnetic calorimeters for measuring the energy of particles.

Benefit: The crystal’s density and radiation hardness enhance the performance of calorimeters in both high-energy physics and other research fields.

Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy

Application: Employed in gamma-ray spectroscopy setups.

Benefit: Its scintillation properties and high light output are beneficial for detecting and analyzing gamma radiation.

Nuclear Physics Research

Application: Used in experiments involving nuclear reactions and radiation detection.

Benefit: The crystal’s robustness under high radiation and its precise scintillation characteristics make it effective for nuclear physics applications.