Recent significant results in the study of scintillation properties of selected materials are given for PbWO4, XAlO3 (X=Y, Lu, Y-Lu) and LiBaF3 -based single crystals and scintillation ceramics. The effect of various defect states is demonstrated in shaping scintillator parameters and achieved improvements are discussed. Importance of understanding of defect states participating in the processes of energy transfer and storage in the scintillating materials is emphasised.

Keywords: Scintillation materials, Defects, Absorption, Luminescence.