The absolute luminescence efficiency (AE) of a calcium fluoride (CaF2:Eu) single crystal\ndoped with europium was studied using X-ray energies met in general radiography. A CaF2:Eu\nsingle crystal with dimensions of 10* 10* 10 mm^3 was irradiated by X-rays. The emission light\nphoton intensity of the CaF2:Eu sample was evaluated by measuring AE within the X-ray range\nfrom 50 to 130 kV. The results of this work were compared with data obtained under similar\nconditions for the commercially employed medical imaging modalities, Bi4Ge3O12 and Lu2SiO5:Ce\nsingle crystals. The compatibility of the light emitted by the CaF2:Eu crystal, with the sensitivity of\noptical sensors, was also examined. The AE of the 10* 10* 10 mm^3 CaF2:Eu crystal peaked in the\nrange from 70 to 90 kV (22.22 efficiency units; E.U). The light emitted from CaF2:Eu is compatible\nwith photocathodes, charge coupled devices (CCD), and silicon photomultipliers, which are used\nas radiation sensors in medical imaging systems. Considering the AE results in the examined\nenergies, as well as the spectral compatibility with various photodetectors, a CaF2:Eu single crystal\ncould be considered for radiographic applications, including the detection of charged particles and\nsoft gamma rays.
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