E. V. D. van Loef, P. Dorenbos, C. W. E. van Eijk, K. W. Krämer and H. U. Güdel
Scintillation properties of LaBr₃:Ce³⁺ crystals: fast, efficient and high-energy-resolution scintillators
Nucl. Instr. and Methods Phys. Res. A 486, 254-258 (2002)                 

Abstract: The scintillation properties of LaBr₃ doped with different Ce concentrations, studied by means of optical, X-ray, and g-ray excitation are presented. Under optical and g-ray excitation, Ce³⁺ emission is observed peaking at 356 and 387 nm. For pure LaBr₃ and LaBr₃ doped with 0.5%, 2%, 4% and 10% Ce³⁺ we measured a light yield of 17,000±2000, 61,000±5000, 48,000±5000, 48,000±5000 and 45,000±5000 photons per MeV (ph/MeV) of absorbed s-ray energy, respectively. The scintillation decay curve of LaBr₃:Ce³⁺ can be described by a single exponential decay function with a decay time of 30±5 ns. It represents over 90% of the total light yield. An energy resolution (FWHM over peak position) for the 662  keV full energy peak of, respectively, 2.9±0.1%, 3.8±0.4%, 3.5±0.4% and 3.9±0.4% was observed for LaBr₃:0.5%, 2%, 4% and 10% Ce³⁺.