In scintillation detectors, what is the role of the light-emissive crystal?

In scintillation detectors, the light-emissive crystal serves a crucial function by converting high-energy radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, into visible light. When these high-energy photons interact with the crystal material, they cause excitation of its atoms, leading to the emission of photons in the visible spectrum. This process is essential for the operation of scintillation detectors, as the emitted light can then be detected and converted into an electrical signal by a photomultiplier tube or similar device.

This conversion process plays a key role in the sensitivity and efficiency of radiation detection, making the light-emissive properties of the crystal fundamental to the functionality of scintillation detectors. Without the ability to convert X-rays to light, the effectiveness of the detector in identifying and measuring radiation would be significantly compromised.