First observation of the scintillation light from solid Xe, Kr and Ar with a CsI photocathode

Abstract We have demonstrated that the scintillation light from solid Xe, Kr and Ar can be recorded by means of a CsI photocathode directly coupled with the solid. The signal obtained from the CsI photocathode inside solid rare gases is 20–100% higher than that previously observed with CsI photocathodes inside the same liquids. This may open new applications of solid rare gas scintillating detectors with such a readout.