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FIRST COMMERCIAL CRYSTAL OF CADMIUM TUNGSTATE ACCELERATED MARKET PENETRATION

Supervised by Dr Andrei Genelev the team of ADGEX VITIM division successfully synthesized the first commercial crystal of cadmium tungstate CdWO₄ (CWO) in August 2018. Structural characteristics of the crystal correspond to the world-class quality that makes it a fully ready product for commercial use.

ADGEX VITIM spent a month to get an independent assessment report to prove the crystal quality. Undeniably, this is a big win for the team and a great happening in ADGEX’s life. This occasion crowned a five-year period of formation and development of single crystal growth, accelerating global market penetration of ADGEX VITIM division. 

Managing Director of ADGEX Mr Victor Uzlov said:

“Signature properties of the growth method we use made it possible to apply the newest techniques of crystal growth and melting and synthesize a perfect crystal of 2 kg in weight using just one small growth chamber GENESIS-AIR. The crystal is absolutely transparent and quite clear, so it is safe to say that initial reagents we loaded were of a high quality. The samples of the grown crystal were analyzed at accredited laboratories of The Vavilov State Optical Institute and State Technical University in Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation. The results demonstrated a light yield value of 24 500 photons / MeV (source Cs 137) that is deemed as ultimate for this type of crystal. Afterglow parameter is of a high level too. Further ADGEX VITIM will proceed to synthesizing of a small-scale commercial batch of CdWO₄  for international sales.”

CWO crystals are used in detectors for registration of gamma-rays, in computer tomography, radiometry of low-background values of radionuclides, introscopes, X-ray scanners and gamma cameras. ADGEX VITIM is open for cooperation.

Detailed analysis of crystal quality is given below:

SCINTILLATION CRYSTAL OF CADMIUM TUNGSTATE

CdWO4 (CWO)

Crystal dimensions                                               up to 100mm in length and up to 50mm in cross-section

Energy resolution                                                ~ 13 % for the sample of 8x8х8 mm in gamma-radiation with energy of 662 keV

Technical specifications

Density [g/cm³] : 7,9

Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion [K^-1] : 10,2x10^-6

Cleavage pane : <010>

Mohs' hardness : 4 – 4,5

Hygroscopy : non-hygroscopic

Emission spectrum [nm] : 470 – 540

Absorption edge [nm]: 330

Index of refraction : 2,2 – 2,3

Decay time [ns] : 5 – 20

Afterglow (after 5 ms) ppm : 160

Light yield [photons / MeV] : 24500

Relative light yield (for x-ray emission) [% of GOS)] : 31