Investigation of radiation emitted by sub GeV electrons in oriented scintillator crystals

Abstract

The research investigates coherent interactions between sub-GeV electrons and oriented scintillator crystals, leading to enhanced electromagnetic (EM) radiation. Experiments at Mainz Mikrotron (MAMI) involved PWO, BGO, and CsI crystals oriented along 〈100〉, 〈111〉, and 〈100〉 axes, respectively. Enhanced radiation emission was observed when the beam was aligned with crystal axes, especially in BGO and CsI for the first time. These findings are crucial for innovative detectors using oriented crystal scintillators, amplifying EM processes along specific crystallographic directions. Potential applications include ultra-compact, highly sensitive electromagnetic calorimeters for high-energy physics and astroparticles, as well as high-performance gamma detectors for nuclear physics and medical imaging.