Characterization of light output and scintillation emission in CsI(Tl), NaI(Tl), and LaBr3(Ce) under isostatic pressure

The application of high isostatic pressure has been known to affect the electronic band structure of the host lattice and the electronic states of luminescence centers in scintillators. Using pulse-height gamma-ray and photoluminescence spectroscopy, the scintillation light output, decay time, and emission behavior of CsI(Tl), NaI(Tl) and LaBr3(Ce) were studied under high isostatic pressure up to 800 MPa. The light output behavior of CsI(Tl) was found to exhibit a different trend than those observed by NaI(Tl) and LaBr3(Ce), explained by shifts in the photoluminescence wavelengths with increased applied pressure. Scintillation decay times were also observed to shorten with pressure. The observed trends in light output and decay times are explained and compared to estimations by analytical models. -- Highlights: •Isostatically pressurized CsI(Tl), NaI(Tl), and LaBr3(Ce) using custom instrument. •Observed changes in light output, decay time, and emission spectra from 0 to 800 MPa. •Experimental data compared to results derived from an analytical model. •Scintillation properties are pressure (and hence, structurally) dependent