BaF2 Scintillation Crystal for Fast Timing and UV/IR Optics
BaF2 Scintillation Crystal for Fast Timing and UV/IR Optics
BaF2 scintillation crystal, also known as barium fluoride crystal, is used in fast timing detectors, high-energy physics, nuclear physics, nuclear medicine research, and UV/IR optical components. BaF2 is valued for its very fast deep-UV scintillation component near 220 nm, broad optical transmission from deep UV to mid-IR, and practical use as both an optical and scintillation material.
ATR Crystal supplies BaF2 crystals for scintillation and optical applications, including monolithic crystal components, custom windows, polished parts, and drawing-defined geometries. Dimensions, surface finish, polishing quality, packaging, readout matching, and inspection requirements can be reviewed according to your detector or optical system design.
For related materials, review our scintillation crystals, LYSO(Ce) crystal, BGO scintillation crystal, CdWO4 scintillation crystal, and CaF2(Eu) scintillation crystal.
Applications of BaF2 Crystal
Fast timing scintillation detectors
High-energy physics and nuclear physics experiments
Nuclear medicine and time-of-flight detector research
Deep-UV optical windows and spectroscopy components
IR windows for optical systems and thermal imaging setups
Radiation detector prototypes and OEM crystal components
Advantages of BaF2 Scintillation Crystal
- Very fast scintillation componentBaF2 has a fast deep-UV component near 220 nm with a sub-nanosecond decay time, useful for fast timing detector studies.
- Broad optical transmissionThe material transmits from about 0.15 to 14 um, making it useful for UV, visible, and IR optical components.
- Dual emission behaviorBaF2 has fast and slow scintillation components, so readout design and wavelength sensitivity should be matched to the application.
- Radiation detector compatibilityBaF2 can be considered for high-energy physics, nuclear physics, and fast detector prototypes.
- Custom optical processingDiameter, thickness, polishing, surface finish, and coating requirements can be reviewed according to drawings.
- Scintillator and optical-grade useMaterial grade and acceptance criteria should be selected according to whether the part is used for scintillation or optical transmission.
BaF2 Crystal Specifications
The following table summarizes typical BaF2 scintillation and optical properties for engineering review.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Barium fluoride, BaF2 |
| Crystal structure | Cubic |
| Density | 4.89 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | Approx. 1280 C |
| Decay constant | Approx. 620 ns slow component; about 0.6 ns fast component |
| Emission wavelength | Approx. 310 nm slow component; about 220 nm fast component |
| Cleavage plane | (111) |
| Hardness | Approx. 3 Mohs |
| Hygroscopicity | Slightly hygroscopic |
| Radiation length | Approx. 20.6 mm |
| Light output relative to NaI(Tl) | Approx. 20% slow component; about 4% fast component |
| Transmission range | Approx. 0.15-14 um |
| Transmittance | Greater than 94% at 0.35-10.8 um, depending on thickness and surface quality |
Available BaF2 crystal formats and customization options.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum size | Up to about 120 mm diameter x 200 mm, depending on specification |
| Available form | Monolithic crystal components and custom machined parts |
| Optical components | Windows, plates, discs, and drawing-defined optical parts |
| Scintillator components | Detector crystals for fast timing and nuclear physics applications |
| Surface finish | Polished, lapped, or custom surface finish according to application |
| Packaging | Dry handling and protective packaging recommended because BaF2 is slightly hygroscopic |
BaF2 vs. LYSO vs. BGO
BaF2 is not selected for the same reason as LYSO or BGO. Its value is the very fast deep-UV component and broad optical transmission. LYSO is usually stronger for compact PET detector modules, while BGO is often preferred for dense gamma absorption and low intrinsic background.
| Material | Main Strength | Timing / Decay | Handling | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BaF2 | Fast deep-UV component and broad UV/IR transmission | About 0.6 ns fast; about 620 ns slow | Slightly hygroscopic; dry storage recommended | Fast timing research, UV/IR optics, nuclear physics |
| LYSO(Ce) | High density, fast timing, useful light output | About 36 ns | Non-hygroscopic; contains Lu-176 background | PET, TOF-PET, compact gamma modules |
| BGO | High density and no Lu-176 intrinsic background | About 300 ns | Non-hygroscopic | Anti-Compton shields, gamma absorbers, calorimeters |
| NaI(Tl) | High light yield and good gamma spectroscopy performance | About 250 ns | Highly hygroscopic; hermetic sealing required | Gamma spectroscopy and radiation monitoring |
Optical and Scintillation Design Notes
BaF2 has both a fast component around 220 nm and a slow component around 310 nm. If the design needs fast timing, the photosensor and optical window must be suitable for deep-UV detection. If the application is optical transmission, thickness, surface finish, coating, and operating environment should be specified clearly.
Because BaF2 is slightly hygroscopic and has cleavage considerations, handling, polishing, packaging, and thermal conditions should be reviewed before production. Long exposure to high humidity or rapid thermal changes should be avoided in precision optical and detector applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
For timing behavior, UV emission and detector design considerations, read our BaF2 scintillation crystal guide for fast timing detectors.
