US Patent 7067816 Scintillator crystals, method for making same, user thereof

The invention concerns an inorganic scintillator material of general composition M1-xCexBr3, wherein: M is selected among lanthanides or lanthanide mixtures of the group consisting of La, Gd, Y in particular among lanthanides or lanthanide mixtures of the group consisting of La, Gd; and x is the molar rate of substitution of M with cerium, x being not less that 0.01 mol % and strictly less than 100 mol %. The invention also concerns a method of growing such a monocrystalline scintillator material, and the use of same as component of a scintillating detector for industrial and medical purpose or in the oil industry.