The history of sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) crystals dates back to 1948, when American physicist Robert Hofstadter first discovered their scintillation effect. When doped with thallium (Tl) as an activator, these crystals efficiently emit light pulses under exposure to ionizing radiation such as gamma rays. This discovery opened a new era for radiation detection technology, and Hofstadter was awarded the 1961 Nobel Prize in Physics for this and other pioneering contributions.
After nearly 80 years of development, sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) crystals remain an established and high‑performance material in the scintillator family, still dominating mainstream applications in medical imaging, nuclear security, industrial detection, and other fields. Their enduring success stems from four key advantages:
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Ultra-high light output efficiency
Thallium-doped sodium iodide crystals deliver one of the highest light outputs among all inorganic scintillators, with their relative light output defined as the 100% reference standard. This allows the crystal to convert absorbed high-energy radiation (such as gamma rays) into visible light signals more efficiently, significantly improving detector sensitivity and energy resolution—essential for precision measurement and imaging.
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Excellent performance-cost balance
Despite being hygroscopic, NaI(Tl) crystals benefit from relatively low raw material costs and highly mature manufacturing processes, resulting in competitive overall production costs. For cost-sensitive applications requiring high detection efficiency (e.g., large-scale industrial inspection and oil well logging), this outstanding cost-performance ratio makes it the preferred solution.
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Mature technology and extensive application foundation
Since its commercial implementation in the 1960s, the production, processing, and encapsulation technologies of NaI(Tl) crystals have become highly mature. A vast global infrastructure and extensive operational experience have been built around this material, forming a deeply rooted application ecosystem covering medical nuclear imaging, industrial non-destructive testing, geological exploration, and security screening.
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Excellent spectral matching
Its emission peak wavelength (approximately 415 nm) aligns well with the sensitive spectral range of photomultiplier tubes and other optical detectors, enabling efficient conversion of optical signals into electrical signals and further optimizing the overall performance of the detection system.
In addition, NaI(Tl) crystals satisfy the requirements of most practical applications, including dose rate measurement, radionuclide identification, and activity analysis. For nuclide identification, instruments such as the Sam940 and PGT950 spectrometers can identify nearly 80 radionuclides using NaI(Tl) detectors.
Leading Crystal Can Provide:
- Crystal Size: Diameter 5~130 mm, length 5~400 mm, can be customized
- Encapsulated assemblies and detectors in various sizes
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