These employ scintillation crystals that convert X-rays or gamma-rays into light pulses which are subsequently detected by either a Photomultiplier Tube (PMT) or a Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM). Produced in custom sizes, these are typically housed in lightweight, hermetically sealed aluminium casings.
Applications range from medical assays, thickness gauging in the steel industry, nuclear industrial monitoring applications to detecting rare radioactive decay events measured in underground caverns. Hilger Crystals manufactures specialised rugged scintillation detectors for geologging for the oil and gas industry. Scintillation crystals are available in a variety of shapes, geometry and materials. Complete integral assemblies can be supplied from 5mm to 200mm in size depending on the material.