Ternary alkali tetravalent-metal halides: novel scintillation materials for radiation detectors

This project will deal with preparation of ternary alkali tetravalent-metal halide single crystals, based on ternary cesium hafnium halide (Cs2HfX6, X = Cl, Br, I), their doping with Tl+, In+, Te4 + ions, and their characterization with broad portfolio of experimental methods. The Cs2HfCl6 crystals are intensively studied with the aim to prepare highly efficient scintillators for radiation detectors. In the project, we will refine starting materials, design suitable procedure of Cs2HfCl6 synthesis and purification, and grow its crystals by Bridgman method. We will introduce a new technology for crystal growth of hygroscopic materials from the melt by the modified micro-pulling-down method imported from Japan (in Europe not yet installed) and apply it on preparation of studied materials including experiments of band gap engineering. Optical, luminescence, and scintillation properties of prepared crystals will be studied including targeted analysis of defects and degrading elements, with goal to clarify and optimize luminescence and scintillation mechanisms in Cs2HfX6 matrix.