GAGG(Ce) Scintillation Crystal
GAGG(Ce) Scintillation Crystal for Gamma and X-Ray Detection
GAGG(Ce) scintillation crystal, also written as GAGG:Ce or Ce-doped gadolinium aluminum gallium garnet, is a dense, non-hygroscopic oxide scintillator used for gamma-ray detection, X-ray imaging, PET/SPECT research, security inspection, high-energy physics instrumentation, and compact detector modules.
The material is often selected when a project needs high light output, practical handling, green emission around 520 nm, and compatibility with modern photosensors such as SiPMs and photodiodes. Compared with LYSO(Ce), GAGG(Ce) does not contain Lu-176 intrinsic background, which can be useful for low-background detector designs.
ATR Crystal supplies GAGG(Ce) crystals, ultra-thin scintillation screens, monolithic components, and pixelated arrays according to drawings or application requirements. Size, polishing, coating, reflector, substrate coupling, frame design, and readout matching can be reviewed before quotation.
Applications of GAGG(Ce) Scintillation Crystal
Gamma-ray detection and compact detector modules
X-ray medical imaging and industrial inspection
PET/SPECT research and nuclear medicine instrumentation
Security inspection, radiation monitoring, and portal systems
High-energy physics and nuclear measurement experiments
SiPM-coupled scintillator arrays and detector prototypes
Advantages of GAGG(Ce) Scintillation Crystal
- High light outputDifferent GAGG(Ce) grades can provide strong signal output for gamma and X-ray detector designs.
- Non-hygroscopic handlingGAGG(Ce) is easier to handle than hygroscopic materials such as NaI(Tl), LaBr3(Ce), and CeBr3.
- 520 nm green emissionThe emission peak is suitable for many SiPM, photodiode, and modern optical readout systems.
- No Lu-176 intrinsic backgroundUnlike LYSO(Ce), GAGG(Ce) does not contain lutetium-based intrinsic radioactivity.
- Grade selectionHigh light output, low afterglow, fast decay, and balanced types can be reviewed according to the detector priority.
- Custom formatsMonolithic crystals, scintillation screens, substrate-coupled screens, frames, coatings, and pixelated arrays can be discussed.
Available GAGG(Ce) Product Formats
GAGG(Ce) can be supplied in several formats depending on detector geometry and readout method.
| Format | Typical Use | Design Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monolithic crystal | Gamma detection, spectroscopy, compact modules | Dimension, thickness, surface finish, and readout surface should be defined. |
| Ultra-thin scintillation screen | X-ray imaging, beam visualization, microscope-coupled detection | Freestanding or substrate-coupled designs can be reviewed. |
| Framed screen | Handling-sensitive thin screens | Aluminum or stainless-steel frames can improve manipulation and assembly. |
| Pixelated GAGG(Ce) array | PET/SPECT research, SiPM modules, imaging detectors | Pixel size, pitch, reflector, crosstalk, and bonding method should be specified. |
| Coated or marked screen | Optical readout or beam alignment | Reflection coating, AR coating, diffusion painting, conductive coating, grid, cross, or scale can be discussed. |
Different Types of GAGG(Ce) Scintillators
GAGG(Ce) performance can be tuned by grade. The table below retains the original product data and corrects the unit wording.
| Type | Light Yield | Decay Time | Afterglow |
|---|---|---|---|
| High light output type | Approx. 54,000 photons/MeV | <150 ns | ≤0.10% @ 20 ms |
| Low afterglow type | Approx. 45,000 photons/MeV | <70 ns | ≤0.02% @ 20 ms |
| Fast decay time type | Approx. 30,000 photons/MeV | <50 ns | ≤0.10% @ 20 ms |
| Balanced type | Approx. 42,000 photons/MeV | <90 ns | ≤0.10% @ 20 ms |
Properties of GAGG(Ce) Scintillators
Typical values for engineering comparison. Final values depend on grade, size, test method, photosensor, and detector assembly.
| Parameter | High Light Output Type | Low Afterglow Type | Fast Decay Time Type | Balanced Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scintillation decay time | <150 ns | <70 ns | <50 ns | <90 ns |
| Emission peak wavelength | 520 nm | 520 nm | 520 nm | 520 nm |
| Refractive index at peak wavelength | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Density | 6.6 g/cm3 | 6.6 g/cm3 | 6.6 g/cm3 | 6.6 g/cm3 |
| Light output | Approx. 54 photoelectrons/keV | Approx. 45 photoelectrons/keV | Approx. 30 photoelectrons/keV | Approx. 42 photoelectrons/keV |
| Energy resolution at 137Cs, 5 x 5 x 5 mm | Approx. 6% | Approx. 6% | Approx. 7% | Approx. 6% |
| Radiation hardness | 10^5 rad | 10^5 rad | 10^5 rad | 10^5 rad |
| Crystal structure | Cubic | Cubic | Cubic | Cubic |
| Cleavage plane | No | No | No | No |
| Hygroscopicity | No | No | No | No |
| Mohs hardness | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Afterglow | ≤0.10% @ 20 ms | ≤0.02% @ 20 ms | ≤0.10% @ 20 ms | ≤0.10% @ 20 ms |
GAGG(Ce) vs Related Scintillation Crystal Materials
This comparison helps position GAGG(Ce) against common scintillator choices. Exact detector performance depends on crystal size, wrapping, optical coupling, photosensor, electronics, and test conditions.
| Material | Density | Typical Decay | Main Advantage | Handling / Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAGG(Ce) | About 6.6 g/cm3 | Grade dependent, <50 to <150 ns | High light output, 520 nm emission, SiPM-friendly readout | Non-hygroscopic; no Lu-176 intrinsic background |
| LYSO(Ce) | About 7.1 g/cm3 | About 40 ns | Fast timing and PET/TOF-PET detector designs | Non-hygroscopic; contains Lu-176 intrinsic background |
| BGO | About 7.13 g/cm3 | About 300 ns | High stopping power and stable oxide crystal handling | Non-hygroscopic; low light output |
| NaI(Tl) | About 3.67 g/cm3 | About 250 ns | High light yield and mature gamma spectroscopy use | Highly hygroscopic; hermetic sealing required |
| CsI(Tl) | About 4.51 g/cm3 | About 1000 ns | High light output and photodiode-friendly green emission | Slightly hygroscopic |
| CdWO4 | About 7.9 g/cm3 | Very slow, about 14 us | Low afterglow X-ray and CT inspection applications | Non-hygroscopic |
| LaBr3(Ce) | About 5.1 g/cm3 | About 20 ns | Excellent energy resolution and fast scintillation | Hygroscopic; encapsulation required |
How to Specify GAGG(Ce) for a Quotation
For faster engineering review, include the intended application, target energy range, readout method, size, tolerance, surface finish, coating, reflector, array pitch, substrate or frame requirement, and expected quantity. Drawings or module layouts are useful when the part is designed for a detector assembly.
| RFQ Item | Information to Provide |
|---|---|
| Product type | Monolithic crystal, scintillation screen, substrate-coupled screen, framed screen, or pixelated array. |
| Dimensions | Length, width, thickness, diameter, pixel size, pitch, tolerance, and drawing if available. |
| GAGG(Ce) grade | High light output, low afterglow, fast decay time, balanced type, or application-based recommendation. |
| Surface and coating | Polishing, roughening, reflection coating, AR coating, diffusion painting, conductive coating, or markings. |
| Readout method | PMT, SiPM, photodiode, CCD/CMOS camera, fiber coupling, or other optical readout. |
| Acceptance criteria | Visual inspection, dimensional tolerance, light output, afterglow, uniformity, energy resolution, or other test requirement. |
How to Request a Custom GAGG(Ce) Crystal Quotation
If you are planning to buy a GAGG crystal for detector testing or OEM integration, please provide the application, required crystal size, tolerance, polished faces, coupling face, surface finish, reflector or wrapping requirement, readout sensor type and quantity. These details help us confirm whether a monolithic GAGG(Ce) crystal, a scintillation screen, or a pixelated GAGG(Ce) array is the better starting point.
For early-stage material comparison, a custom GAGG(Ce) crystal sample may be enough. For imaging modules, SiPM readout or position-sensitive detectors, please also review the GAGG(Ce) array page. If you are still comparing GAGG(Ce) and LYSO(Ce), see our GAGG vs LYSO scintillator selection guide before finalizing the material.
Related GAGG(Ce) Products and Material Options
For pixel-level detector design, review the GAGG(Ce) array. For high-density PET detector materials, compare LYSO(Ce) and BGO. For conventional gamma spectroscopy, review NaI(Tl). For broader material selection, visit the scintillation crystal category.
Comparing these materials? Read our GAGG vs BGO scintillator comparison for practical notes on light yield, stopping power and detector readout.
