Pure and Ce-doped KMgF/sub 3/-scintillators

Optical and scintillation properties of Ce-doped KMgF/sub 3/ crystals have been studied. At least three types of emission centers were found, depending on the dopant concentration. One such center type having 355 nm emission and 27 ns decay time provides the scintillation yield of KMgF/sub 3/(Ce) crystals comparable to that of pure CsI crystals. The doping of KMgF/sub 3/4 crystals by Ce or La ions has been shown to result in the radiation damage suppression.