LSO(Ce) Scintillation Crystals
Lutetium Oxyorthosilicate - Lu₂SiO₅(Ce) - is a relatively dense scintillator with a fast decay time (40ns).

It is similar in performance to BGO but with a higher light yield.


LSO(Ce) scintillator crystal strengths:
  • Good stopping powers with Z - 75 and density - 7.4 g.cm³
  • No cleavage planes

LSO(Ce) scintillator crystals have the following issues which should be noted:
  • Has an intrinsic radiation background - c.300 cps/cm³
  • Quite brittle and needs careful handling and machining

Lutetium Oxyorthosilicate (Ce) - LSO(Ce) scintillator crystals are useful in diverse applications such as:
  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
  • Specialist applications in high energy, nuclear, space and medical physics
LSO(Ce) Scintillation Crystals
- Properties -
LSO(Ce) Scintillator Emission Spectrum
LSO(Ce) Mass Attenuation Coefficients
LSO(Ce) Scintillation Crystals
- Optical Properties -
Property Units Value
Wavelength (Max. Emission) nm 420
Wavelength Range nm TBA
Decay Times ns 40
Light Yield photons/keV 30
Photoelectron Yield % of NaI(Tl) 75
Radiation Length cm 1.14
Optical Transmission µm TBA
Transmittance % TBA
Refractive Index 1.82@420nm
Reflection Loss/Surface % TBA
Neutron Capture Cross-section barns TBA
LSO(Ce) Scintillation Crystals
- Mechanical Properties -
Property Units Value
Chemical Formula Lu₂SiO₅(Ce)
Density g/cm³ 7.4
Atomic Number (Effective) 75
Melting Point ºC 2050
Thermal Expansion Coeff. C⁻¹ TBA x 10‾⁶
Cleavage Plane None
Hardness Mho 5.8
Hygroscopic No
Solubility g/100gH₂0 N/A
LSO(Ce) Scintillation Crystals
- Further Reading/Publications -
LSO(Ce) Scintillation Crystals
- Sizes -
Diameters:
80 mm max.
Lengths:
400mm max.