A novel YAG:Ce/CsI:Tl phoswich detector consisting of transparent ceramic scintillator for alpha-gamma discrimination

Developing a ceramic scintillator operating in a phoswich detector is a feasible way for pulse shape discrimination. A YAG:Ce transparent ceramic scintillator has been synthesized by using the vacuum sintering method. In this work, we present a new phoswich detector mainly developed for the determination of low radioactivity levels. The system was constructed by combining a transparent ceramic scintillator, for the detection of alpha particles, and a CsI:Tl crystal, for the detection of gamma-rays. With the device proposed here, the particle identification in a mixed alpha-gamma field has been achieved with the rise time discrimination method. Furthermore, the figure of merit can also be improved using the phoswich detector. The higher reliability, simplicity, and low cost of the design that combines ceramics and crystals make the YAG ceramic have extremely good application prospects.