BGO detectors are characterized by high energy resolution in the energy range 5 - 20 MeV, a relatively short decay time; its parameters remain stable up to the doses of 5 x 104 Gy; large-size single crystals are possible to obtain. Due to these features, BGO crystals are used in high-energy physics (scintillators for electromagnetic calorimeters and detecting assemblies of accelerators), spectrometry and radiometry of gamma-radiation, positron tomography
BGO is a good scintillation material and has been found a wide range of applications in high energy physics, nuclear physics, space physics, nuclear medicine, geological exploration and other industries.
Properties:
Density [g/cm3] | 7.13 |
Melting point [K] | 1323 |
Thermal expansion coefficient [C-1] | 7 x 10-6 |
Cleavage plane | none |
Hardness (Mho) | 5 |
Hygroscopic | no |
Wavelength of emission max. [nm] | 480 |
Lower wavelength cutoff [nm] | 320 |
Refractive index @ emission max | 2.15 |
Primary decay time [ns] | 300 |
Light yield [photons/keVγ] | 8-10 |
Photoelectron yield [% of NaI(Tl)] (for γ-rays) | 15 - 20 |
Temperature response | -1.2%/C |
Neutron capture cross-section | 1.47b |
Afterglow @ 20ms | 150ppm |