Calcium and Cadmium Tungstate as Scintillation Counter Crystals for Gamma-Ray Detection

Abstract

The high density, transparency, and chemical inertness of calcium and cadmium tungstates, together with their reasonable luminescent efficiencies when stimulated with high energy radiation, strongly suggest their use as phosphors in scintillation counters for gamma-ray detection. Some of the properties of these crystals are reported and compared with anthracene. It is shown that with proper design, the total anode current produced by a given source is several times greater with the tungstates than with anthracene, although the latter has a more favorable pulse size distribution. Cadmium tungstate has a zero temperature coefficient of luminescence up to 40°C and shows no afterglow after exposure to intense radiation.