These ionizing radiation detectors are based on the principle of excitation of electrons to higher energy states by incident radiation, with the return to the ground state manifested as a flash of light whose wavelength falls in the visible or ultraviolet spectral region. Therefore, scintillation plates are typically placed upstream of another detection element that can register the resulting light flash. Most often, scintillation detectors are used in combination with a photomultiplier tube or CCD sensor.
Hamamatsu 's portfolio includes CsI(Tl) scintillators deposited on different types of substrate:
