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From thin to bulk: Affordable, brighter and faster scanning with high-energy radiation sources

Imagine a medical scanner that works faster and produces clearer images, or a radiation detector that pinpoints tiny traces of radioactive material with unprecedented accuracy. These futuristic possibilities are a step closer to reality thanks to new research by scientists at the Łukasiewicz Research Network—PORT Polish Center for Technology Development.

In a in Advanced Materials, they reveal how they've scaled up a new type of light-emitting material—known as a scintillator—by embedding it with nano-engineered metallic structures, unlocking performance previously thought unattainable in bulk materials.

Scintillators are special substances that emit visible light when exposed to high-energy radiation such as X-rays or gamma rays. They are critical in numerous fields—from medical imaging and security screening to high-energy physics experiments. But traditional scintillators have limitations: They often emit weak signals or respond slowly, making them less efficient for demanding applications.

Enter nanoplasmonics—a field that manipulates the behavior of light on the nanoscale using tiny metallic structures. These structures can concentrate electromagnetic fields into tiny volumes, dramatically enhancing how nearby materials absorb or emit light. By strategically integrating these "plasmonic" nanostructures with perovskite nanocrystal scintillators, the researchers at Łukasiewicz—PORT created hybrid materials with significantly faster and more intense light emission.

What makes this discovery truly revolutionary is the scale. Until now, plasmonic enhancement has mostly been limited to ultra-thin layers or isolated nanoparticles. The Polish team, however, developed a method to embed this enhancement into a solid, centimeter-sized crystal slab—a leap that opens the door to real-world applications.

"Our work bridges the gap between nanoscale physics and practical devices," says Dr. Michal Makowski, one of the lead researchers. "We've demonstrated that it's possible to scale up nanoplasmonic scintillators without losing their unique optical benefits."

The magic lies in a technique called self-assembly, where carefully designed molecular building blocks spontaneously arrange into well-ordered structures. The researchers combined perovskite scintillating nanocrystals with metallic gold nanospheres and nanocubes, stabilizing them in a polymer matrix. This approach ensures precise spatial alignment of components while preserving the structural integrity and high light yield across the bulk material.

Tests showed a dramatic increase in radioluminescence intensity—up to four times higher than in traditional counterparts—along with significantly reduced response times. These gains could lead to faster, more sensitive X-ray detectors, reducing radiation doses for patients and increasing throughput in security or industrial scanning systems.

Importantly, the materials are also robust and scalable, making them viable for mass production. The research exemplifies how interdisciplinary collaboration—spanning physics, chemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology—can yield transformative innovations.

As the demand for advanced imaging and detection technologies grows, this breakthrough from Poland's Łukasiewicz—PORT stands as a shining example of how smart design at the nanoscale can illuminate big solutions. From better cancer diagnostics to next-generation space telescopes, the future is looking brighter.