Cesium iodide

Cesium iodide is a high-purity solar-energy-materials supplied for industrial and specialty chemical applications. Contact our team for specifications, packaging options and lead times.

Appearance:	off-white to white powder
Purity:	99.999% min
Co:	0.1ppm max
Zn:	0.5ppm max
Ag:	0.5ppm max
Cu:	0.5ppm max
Ca:	0.5ppm max
Al:	0.5ppm max
Se:	N/A
Mg:	0.5ppm max
Te:	N/A
Ni:	0.5ppm max
Si:	N/A
Pb:	1.0ppm max
S:	N/A
Sn:	N/A
In:	0.1ppm max
Mo:	N/A
Na:	N/A
Fe:	0.5ppm max
Cd:	0.1ppm max
Mn:	N/A
Au:	N/A
P:	N/A
Zr:	N/A
Ga:	N/A

 

1. Scintillation Detectors

Primary application: CsI is used as a scintillator material for detecting gamma rays, X-rays, and charged particles.

It emits light when struck by high-energy radiation, which is then measured by photodetectors.

Types of CsI scintillators:

CsI(Tl): Doped with thallium; offers high light output, good energy resolution, and slow decay.

CsI(Na): Doped with sodium; faster decay and better suited for certain high-rate applications.

Undoped CsI (pure): Fast response time but lower light output; used in fast-timing applications.

Key applications include:

Nuclear medicine (e.g., SPECT)

High-energy particle physics experiments

Space-borne radiation detectors

Homeland security (radiation portal monitors)

2. Medical Imaging

In X-ray and gamma-ray imaging, CsI is used in flat-panel detectors and computed tomography (CT) systems.

The columnar crystal structure of CsI minimizes lateral light spread, improving resolution in digital imaging.

Preferred for:

Dental radiography

Mammography

Fluoroscopy

Portable digital X-ray systems

3. Infrared (IR) and UV Optics

CsI is transparent over a wide spectral range (from ~200 nm in the UV to ~50 μm in the IR).

Used for infrared optical components, such as:

Beam splitters

Lenses

Windows for FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) instruments

Advantages:

Low refractive index

Excellent transmission in the mid-IR and near-UV regions

Limitation: Hygroscopic-CsI degrades upon prolonged exposure to atmospheric moisture.

4. Space and Defense Applications

Due to its high density and radiation hardness, CsI is employed in:

Space radiation detectors

Satellite payloads

Missile detection and guidance systems

Its robustness and high Z-value make it especially effective at detecting high-energy cosmic rays or nuclear events.

5. High-Energy Physics

CsI crystals are used in electromagnetic calorimeters in particle accelerators and collider experiments.

Their fast response and light output allow precise measurement of particle energies.

Examples include:

CERN experiments (e.g., LHC detectors)

Fermilab and other national laboratories

 

✅ High Density and Effective Z

CsI has a high atomic number (Z) and density (~4.5 g/cm³), making it highly effective for stopping and detecting high-energy photons.

✅ Efficient Scintillation

High scintillation light output and relatively low decay time allow for accurate, high-resolution detection of radiation.

✅ Versatile Doping for Customization

Doping with thallium or sodium allows tuning of emission wavelength, decay time, and light output for specific detector requirements.

✅ Optical Transparency

CsI transmits well in the UV to mid-infrared range, allowing for multi-spectral applications.

✅ Compatibility with Photodetectors

Emission wavelengths of doped CsI match well with photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), silicon photodiodes, and CMOS sensors.

✅ Compact Detector Design

The high stopping power and columnar structure of CsI allow for thin, compact detectors with minimal cross-talk.

Cesium iodide (CAS 7789-17-5) is a critical material in advanced detection and imaging technologies due to its scintillation efficiency, high atomic density, and optical clarity. It is indispensable in medical diagnostics, nuclear and particle physics, security systems, and infrared optics. With its adaptability via doping and strong performance in high-radiation environments, CsI remains a preferred material for both research and industry.

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