BGO Scintillator (BGO Scintillation Crystal)
Bismuth germanate (BGO), with the chemical formula Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂, is a high-performance inorganic scintillation crystal. It is colorless, transparent, and non-hygroscopic, featuring high density and a high effective atomic number for excellent gamma-ray absorption. When exposed to high-energy particles or radiation, BGO emits blue-green fluorescence peaking around 480 nm. Its robust mechanical and chemical stability, combined with good energy resolution, makes it ideal for applications in high-energy physics, nuclear medicine (such as PET scanners), and space exploration, including China’s “Wukong” dark matter detection satellite.
OST Photonics provides BGO crystals, BGO arrays, and BGO scintillation detectors upon request. We offer a comprehensive range of design configurations and reflector materials to optimize array performance, ensuring high light output, excellent uniformity, and minimal crosstalk.
Application
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
High Energy Physics Experiments
Dark Matter & Space Exploration
Geological Logging
Nuclear Security & Radiation Monitoring
Features
High Radiation Absorption
Excellent Mechanical & Chemical Stability
Good Energy Resolution
High Radiation Hardness
Low Afterglow Emission
Production and Supply Capability
Maximum Size: ɸ76mm x 300mm, 40mm x 80mm x 200mm
Available items: monolithic crystal, pixellated array, scintillation detector
Properties
Density [g/cm3] | 7.13 |
Melting point [K] | 1323 |
Thermal expansion coefficient [C-1] | 7 x 10-6 |
Cleavage plane | None |
Hardness (Mho) | 5 |
Hygroscopic | No |
Wavelength of emission max. [nm] | 480 |
Lower wavelength cutoff [nm] | 320 |
Refractive index @ emission max | 2.15 |
Primary decay time [ns] | 300 |
Light yield [photons/keVγ] | 8-10 |
Photoelectron yield [% of NaI(Tl)] (for γ-rays) | 15 – 20 |
Temperature response | -1.2%/C |
Neutron capture cross-section | 1.47b |
Afterglow | @ 20ms 150ppm |