Scintillation properties of SrF$_2$ and SrF$_2$–Ce$^{3+}$ crystals

This Letter presents the results of measuring scintillation properties of pure SrF$_2$ crystals and crystals activated by various concentrations of Ce$^{3+}$ ions. The light yield of these materials is compared to that of the known scintillators NaI–Tl and CaF$_2$–Eu$^{2+}$. Strontium fluoride crystals activated with Ce$^{3+}$ ions are found to be characterized by high light yield and to be promising materials for use in scintillation detectors employed for $\gamma$-ray well logging.