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A transparent hybrid metal halide glassy scintillation screen for high-resolution fast neutron radiography

Zi’an Zhou, Jinxiao Zheng, Shihao Ruan, Guichu Yue, Tiao Feng, Yi’ni An, Meimei Wu, Nü Wang, Shuyun Zhou, Linfeng He, Chenghua Sun

2025Nature Communications12 citationsDOIOpen Access PDF

Abstract

Abstract Fast neutron radiography offers exceptional penetration for high-density and bulky objects, yet its resolution is hindered by light scattering in conventional scintillators and screen fabrication techniques. To address this, here, we develop a transparent glassy Mn-based hybrid metal halide scintillation screen, (BTPP) 1.8 (HTPP) 0.2 MnBr 4 (BTPP + = butyltriphenylphosphonium, HTPP + = heptyltriphenylphosphonium), leveraging temperature-dependent ordered-disordered transitions. The large-area screen boasts >70% visible light transmittance (500–800 nm), a high photoluminescence quantum yield (~85.54%), and threefold higher light output than commercial ZnS (Ag): PP screens. With a spatial resolution of 5 lp mm −1 , it surpasses existing scintillators. This hybrid material enables imaging of heavy objects with clear hierarchical details, providing accurate data for non-destructive detection while offering an alternative approach to scintillator design, advancing the potential of fast neutron radiography.

Topics & Concepts

ScintillatorScintillationMaterials scienceNeutron imagingPhotoluminescenceOpticsOptoelectronicsNeutronFabricationHalideTransmittanceImage resolutionPhysicsDetectorChemistryNuclear physicsAlternative medicinePathologyMedicineInorganic chemistryNuclear Physics and ApplicationsRadiation Detection and Scintillator TechnologiesLuminescence Properties of Advanced Materials