Xiamen Tungsten Makes Major Breakthrough: Successful Growth of Large-Size BGO Scintillation Crystals via Kyropoulos Meth

The global scintillation crystal industry has witnessed a significant technological leap as Xiamen Tungsten Industry Co., Ltd. (Xiamen Tungsten) successfully grows large-size BGO (Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂) scintillation crystals using the Kyropoulos method. This breakthrough addresses the growing demand for larger crystal sizes in advanced radiation detection applications and marks a key advancement in functional crystalline material technology.

BGO scintillation crystals are widely recognized for their exceptional comprehensive scintillation performance, making them indispensable in fields such as particle physics research, nuclear medicine, security inspection, industrial online monitoring, and resource exploration. With the rapid evolution of radiation detection technology, the demand for larger BGO crystals has surged. For instance, industrial material online monitoring requires BGO crystals with both diameter and length exceeding 5 inches (1 inch = 25.4 mm), and in some cases, crystals with diameters and lengths ranging from 6 to 8 inches. While traditional methods like the top-seeded Czochralski method and bottom-seeded Bridgman method are mature, they face significant limitations in growing large-size BGO scintillation crystals.

Inspired by the application of the Kyropoulos method in growing large-size sapphire crystals, Xiamen Tungsten launched a research project to adapt this method for BGO crystal growth under the guidance of Researcher Wang Shaohua, a technical consultant. After two years of intensive R&D, the project team overcame critical growth challenges, including crystal coloring caused by deviations from the stoichiometric ratio of binary components and blank shape distortion due to uneven temperature fields. Through continuous optimization of crucible geometric parameters, temperature field distribution, and growth process parameters, the team successfully produced colorless and transparent BGO scintillation crystals.

Crystalline components processed from these Kyropoulos-grown BGO blanks exhibit scintillation performance comparable to those produced via the Bridgman method, meeting the requirements of most practical applications. To drive innovation in high-performance, high-value-added products, Xiamen Tungsten established the Rare Earth Optoelectronic Crystalline Materials Research Institute, assembling a team of top professionals in the crystal industry.

This technological breakthrough in large-size BGO crystal growth lays a solid foundation for the development of downstream industries. Currently, Xiamen Tungsten is capable of supplying finished BGO scintillation crystals in specifications of φ6 inches × 3 inches and φ8 inches × 3 inches, providing strong support for downstream users' technological R&D endeavors.

Xiamen Tungsten is committed to collaborating with industry peers to jointly promote the advancement of China's functional crystalline materials sector, contributing to the progress of global radiation detection technology and related industries.