SCINTILLATOR MATERIALS

Scintillators are materials which can detect highly ionizing radiation, because they efficiently convert the energy of this radiation into light. After defining this field of materials, the physical phenomena in scintillators are briefly discussed. Many applications of scintillators are known, and the more important ones are dealt with. From this discussion the requirements which scintillator materials have to satisfy are derived. The materials which are of importance at the moment, or have potential for the future are discussed. Finally some problems for the near future are commented upon.