Comparison of Lu3Al5O12:Pr and Bi4Ge3O12 scintillators for gamma-ray detection

The scintillation properties of Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Pr³⁺ (LuAG:Pr) single crystal grown by the Czochralski method with praseodymium concentration of 0.19 mol% were investigated. For a comparison, a good quality Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ (BGO) single crystal grown by Bridgman method was also studied. The light yield and energy resolution were measured using photomultiplier tube (XP5200B PMT) readout. Moderate light yield of 15,900 photons per MeV was measured for the LuAG:Pr(0.19%) crystal. For 662 keV gamma rays (¹³⁷Cs source), an energy resolution of 6.5% obtained for LuAG:Pr(0.19%) is much better than that of 9.0% obtained for BGO. The light yield non-proportionality and energy resolution versus energy of gamma rays were measured and the intrinsic resolution of the crystals was determined after correcting the measured energy resolution for PMT statistics. The LuAG:Pr(0.19%) showed a good proportionality of the light yield within 5% over the energy range from 1274.5 keV down to 32 keV, which is much better than that of 14% for BGO. The photofraction was determined at 320 and 662 keV for both crystals and compared with the ratio of the cross-sections for the photoelectric effect to the total one calculated using WinXCOM program.     

Evaluation of Ce3+ and alkali metal ions Co-doped LiSrAlF6 crystalline scintillators

High scintillation efficiency of Eu-doped LiSrAlF₆ (LiSAF) and LiCaAlF₆ (LiCAF) codoped with alkali metal ions has been reported in our recent studies. Thus in this paper, we demonstrated the scintillation properties of 1% Ce-doped LiSAF crystals with 1% alkali metal ions co-doping to increase the light yield and understand the scintillation mechanism. The crystals showed intense emission band corresponding to the 5d-4f transition of Ce³⁺, and their light yields under thermal neutron excitation were higher than that of the Ce only doped crystal. Especially, the light yield of Ce–Na co-doped crystal exceeded about two times that of Ce only doped one.     

Optical absorption behavior of Tl<Superscript>+</Superscript> DOPED Rb(Br<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>I<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>) system

The optical absorption behavior of Tl⁺ doped Rb(Br_1–x I _x ) mixed crystals (with x = 0.00, 0.05, and 0.10) grown under vacuum by slow cooling from the melt has been studied. Absorption spectra of the mixed crystals recorded at room temperature showed that the characteristic A-absorption band of Tl⁺ ions in the Rb(Br_1–x I _x ) system (0.1 mol. %) with x = 0.00 (i.e., RbBr:Tl⁺) broadened with the iodine content towards the low energy side. Changes in the absorption spectra of the mixed crystals are due to creation of some complex centers involving Tl⁺, Br^–, and I^- ions with energy levels inside the band gap while forming the mixed crystal. The absorption spectra of gamma-irradiated mixed crystals showed the F-band, which shifted towards the low energy side due to the existence of iodine ions in the mixed crystals.     

Eu2+ and Eu3+ based “concentrated phosphors” as converters for UV LED light: two approaches and two new examples

The absolute majority of phosphors are composed of a host lattice and some percentage of an activator. At higher activator concentrations the concentration quenching occurs. However, there are phosphors in which only minor quenching of the emission occurs with increasing of the activator content. Based on the existence of two different valence states of the Eu ion (2+ and 3+), two approaches for the development of “concentrated phosphors”, i.e. light emitting materials in which the activator ion is a main part of the crystal lattice, are discussed. In both approaches, reduced energy migration leading to the luminescence quenching is considered as a main condition to reach a high quantum efficiency of a concentrated phosphor. Two kinds of phosphors—Eu²⁺-doped alumosilicate and Eu³⁺-doped oxyfluoride—are used as an experimental basis for this discussion. Starting from the stoichiometric Ca_1-xEu_x²⁺Al₂Si₂O₈\mathrm{Ca}_{1-x}\mathrm{Eu}_{x}^{2+}\mathrm{Al}_{2}\mathrm{Si}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{8} anorthite and Eu³⁺OF oxyfluorides, the non-stoichiometric powders with Eu²⁺_0.92Al_1.76Si_2.24O₈\mathrm{Eu}^{2+}_{0.92}\mathrm{Al}_{1.76}\mathrm{Si}_{2.24}\mathrm{O}_{8}, Eu³⁺(O, F)_2,35 and Eu³⁺(O, F)_2,16 compositions were synthesized by a solid state reaction and investigated. It was shown that—in spite of the almost 100% Eu concentration—light converters with high quantum efficiency of more than 45% can be realized. A possible application of these materials as UV LED light converters for white light emitting diodes are discussed as well.     

Luminescence and Scintillation Characterization of Cs2NaGdBr6: Ce3+ Single Crystal

Luminescence and scintillation properties of newly discovered bromo-elpasolites Cs₂NaGdBr₆: Ce³⁺ (CNGB: Ce³⁺) are presented. Single crystals of CNGB: Ce³⁺ with dimensions up to Ø7×10 mm³ are successfully grown by the Bridgman technique. X-ray excited luminescence measurements of the grown samples showed a broad emission band in the wavelength range from 365 to 470 nm. It offered an energy resolution of 5.1% (FWHM) at 662 keV for 10% Ce sample. The light output of the investigated samples increases along with cerium concentration. A maximum light yield of ～36,800 ph/MeV is measured for the 10% Ce sample crystal. Under γ-ray excitation, CNGB: Ce³⁺ crystals showed three exponential decay time components. The scintillation mechanism in the sample crystal is presented.     

La0.1Bi0.9-xEuxFeO3化合物的结构与性能研究

利用固相反应烧结技术制备La_0.1Bi_0.9-xEu_xFeO₃系列化合物. 利用X射线粉末衍射进行物相鉴定和结构分析,确定了材料的相关系：x≤0.05,材料为R3c结构相;0.08≤x≤0.12,材料为赝R3c结构相;x≥0.15是Pbnm相,其中0.15≤x≤0.20区域Pbnm相存在畸变. 磁测量结果表明,材料具有弱铁磁性,对于x≤0.20材料,磁矩在x=0.12成分存在极值. 利用阻抗分析仪测量了室温介电常数随成分的变化关系.讨论了材料的结构与弱铁磁性和室温介电常数间的关系. 关键词： 0.1Bi_0.9-xEu_xFeO₃')" href="#">La_0.1Bi_0.9-xEu_xFeO₃ X射线衍射 磁性 介电常数     

Spectral and scintillation characteristics of compound x-ray detectors based on calcium iodide crystals

The results of an investigation of the spectral and scintillation properties of pure and Tl⁺, Eu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺ activated calcium iodide crystals as well as the results of measurements of the scintillation characteristics of compound x-ray detectors based on calcium iodide crystals are reported. It is shown that paired CaI₂ and CaI₂:Tl crystals can be used to fabricate compound detectors with different fluorescence times. On account of their high light output and good energy resolution CaI₂ and CaI₂:Eu crystals are suitable for compound detectors with different technical light output. CaI₂ or CaI₂:Eu scintillators together with scintillators based on calcium iodide with iron-group luminescence quenching impurity (Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺) can be used to obtain compound detectors with different physical light output. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 71–73 (September 1998)     

发光二极管用红色荧光粉Sr0.8-xBaxEu0.2WO4的制备和性质研究

采用化学共沉淀法制备了不同Ba²⁺掺杂浓度、 不同煅烧温度的Sr_0.8-xBa_xEu_0.2WO₄红色荧光粉. 研究了样品的晶体取向和晶格 畸变对发光性质的影响, 实验结果表明: 合成的Sr_0.8-xBa_xEu_0.2WO₄红色荧光粉为四方相, 样品中Eu³⁺的⁵D₀–⁷F₂跃迁的红光能被近紫外光和蓝光有效激发. 适量的Ba²⁺离子取代部分的Sr²⁺提高了Sr_0.8Eu_0.2WO₄荧光粉的发光强度, Ba²⁺掺杂浓度的改变对基质的晶格参数、晶体对称性和发光性能影响较大, Ba²⁺的最佳掺杂量为30%.     

An automated laboratory EXAFS spectrometer of Johansson type: indigenous development and testing

An automated linear laboratory EXAFS spectrometer of the Johansson type has been indigenously developed. Only two translational motions are required to achieve the necessary Rowland circle configuration for the (fixed) X-ray source, the dispersing and focusing bent crystal and the receiving slit. With the available crystals the spectral region from 5 to 25 keV can be scanned. The linear motions of the crystal and receiving slit including the detector assembly are achieved by employing software-controlled DC motors and utilizing optical encoders for position sensing. The appropriate rotation of the crystal is achieved by the geometry of the instrument. There is a facility to place the sample alternately in the path of the X-ray beam and out of the path to record both the incident X-ray intensityI ₀ and the transmitted intensityI employing the scintillation detector. An arrangement with a two-window proportional detector before the sample to measureI ₀ and the scintillation detector to recordI is also developed; in this case it is not necessary to oscillate the sample. Fast electronic circuits are employed to minimize counting errors. The instrument is user-friendly and it is operated through a menu-driven IBM compatible PC. EXAFS spectra of high resolution have been recorded using the spectrometer and employing the Si(111) reflecting planes; the X-ray source being a Rigaku 12 kW rotating anode with Cu target. We describe the spectrometer and discuss its performance with a few representative spectra.     

A novel Dy3+-doped Gd(PO3)3 white-light phosphors under VUV excitation for Hg-free lamps application

Novel Dy³⁺-doped Gd(PO₃)₃ white light phosphors each with an orthorhombic system are successfully synthesized by solid-state reaction. The luminescence properties of white-light Gd_1-x(PO₃)₃:xDy³⁺ (0<x≤ 0.25) under vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation are investigated. The strong absorption at around 147 nm in excitation spectrum energy can be transferred to the energy levels of Dy³⁺ ion from the host absorption. Additionally, the white light phosphor is activated by a single Dy³⁺ ion. Therefore, the luminescence of Gd_1-x(PO₃)₃:xDy (0<x≤ 0.25) under VUV excitation is effective, and it has the promise of being applied to mercury-free lamp.     

White light emitting from single phased K2Ca1−x−yP2O7: xEu, yMn phosphors under UV excitation

A single phased white light emitting phosphors K₂Ca_1−x−yP₂O₇: xEu²⁺, yMn²⁺ were synthesized by solid state reaction method. The Effective energy transfer occurs in this phosphor due to the large spectral overlap between the emission of Eu²⁺ and the excitation of Mn²⁺. The emission hue of K₂Ca_1−x−yP₂O₇: xEu²⁺, yMn²⁺ from blue to white light can be obtained by tuning the Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺ content ratio. The energy transfer mechanism from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ in this phosphor was carefully investigated and demonstrated to be via the dipole–quadrupole interaction.     

Improvement of the scintillation properties of Gd3Ga3Al2O12:Ce,B single crystals having tailored defect structure

A novel approach is reported to minimize various defect centers in Ce doped Gd₃Ga₃Al₂O₁₂ single crystals to improve the scintillation properties. The crystals of Gd₃Ga₃Al₂O₁₂ codoped with 0.2 at% Ce and B (GGAG:Ce,B) have been grown in air and argon ambient using the Czochralski technique. The scintillation light output of crystals grown in Ar ambient was significantly increased after annealing the crystals in air. The measured light output of 60000 ph/MeV for annealed crystals is the highest value reported among this class of materials. As a consequence, the energy resolution at 662 keV gamma‐rays from a ¹³⁷Cs source was improved from 8% for the crystals grown in air to 6% for crystals grown in Ar and subsequently annealed in air. Further, the thermal quenching energy of photoluminescence (PL) emission was increased to be 470 meV for the annealed crystals. The thermoluminescence (TL) measurements suggest that the crystals grown in Ar ambient and post‐growth annealed in air may have a lesser concentration of trap centers which subsequently lead to the improvement in optical and scintillation properties leading to a superior detector performance. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Quantum yield of Eu2+ emission in (Ca1−xSrx)S:Eu light emitting diode converter at 20–420 K

A series of red-emitting light converters Ca_1?xSr_xS:Eu²⁺, with tunable composition-dependent emission maxima were synthesized and characterized concerning their photoluminescent (PL) properties. X-ray diffraction patterns, photoluminescence spectra, luminosities and quantum yields were compared for phosphors with strontium concentrations varying from 0 to 100%. The maxima wavelength of emission shifts from 663 down to 619 nm, originating from the dependence of Eu²⁺ 5d state energy on the surrounding crystal field. Upon increasing the temperature from 20 to 420 K, a broadening of emission spectra along with thermal quenching of emission intensity and quantum yield occurs. Satisfying PL properties and their thermal stability demonstrate that the phosphors could be used as light converters in light emitting diodes (LEDs).     

Low‐temperature photoluminescence studies of In‐rich InAlN nanocolumns

High‐quality In_x Al_1–xN (0.71 ≤ x_In ≤ 1.00) nanocolumns (NCs) have been grown on Si(111) substrates by rf‐plasma‐assisted molecular‐beam epitaxy (rf‐MBE). Low‐temperature photoluminescence (LT‐PL) spectra of various In‐rich InAlN NCs were measured at 4 K and single peak PL emissions were observed in the wavelength region from 0.89 µm to 1.79 µm. Temperature‐dependent PL spectra of In_0.92Al_0.08N NCs were studied and the so‐called “S‐shape” (decrease–increase–decrease) PL peak energy shift was observed with increasing temperature. This shift indicates the carrier localization induced by the In segregation effect and is different from the anomalous blue shift frequently observed in InN films and nanowires with high residual carrier concentra‐ tions. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Studies in crystal structure and luminescence properties of Eu-doped metal tungstate phosphors for white LEDs

The correlation between the crystal structure and luminescent properties of Eu³⁺-doped metal tungstate phosphors for white LEDs was investigated. Red-emitting A_4−3x(WO₄)₂:Eu_x³⁺ (A=Li, Na, K) and B_(4−3x)/2(WO₄)₂:Eu_x³⁺ (B=Mg, Ca, Sr) phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reactions. The findings confirmed that these phosphors exhibited a strong absorption in the near UV to green range, due to the intra-configurational 4f-4f electron transition of Eu³⁺ ions. The high doping concentration of Eu³⁺ enhanced the absorption of near UV light and red emission without any detectable concentration quenching. Based on the results of a Rietveld refinement, it was attributed to the unique crystal structure. In the crystal structure of the Eu³⁺-doped metal tungstate phosphor, the critical energy transfer distance is larger than 5 Å so that exchange interactions between Eu³⁺ ions would occur with difficulty, even at a high doping concentration. The energy transfer between Eu³⁺ ions, which causes a decrease in red emission with increasing concentration of Eu³⁺, appears to be due to electric multi-polar interactions. In addition, the Eu-O distance in the host lattice affected the shape of emission spectrum by splitting of emission peak at the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺.     

Luminescence and time-resolved spectroscopy properties of (Gd1−xEux)(BO2)3 multicrystals

(Gd_1?xEu_x)(BO₂)₃ (0≤x≤1) phosphors are synthesized by traditional high temperature solid state reaction. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of Gd(BO₂)₃ and Gd(BO₂)₃ activated with Eu³⁺ are investigated. The PL spectra exhibit the typical characteristic emission and excitation of Gd³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions, and support the energy transfer taking place from Gd³⁺ to Eu³⁺ ions. The relationship between Eu³⁺ doping concentration and emission intensity is also studied. Even if all of the Gd³⁺ ions are substituted by Eu³⁺ ions, the concentration quenching between Eu³⁺ happens. However, the quenching is not complete. The luminescence decay curves are measured, and the lifetimes become short with the Eu³⁺ content increasing. The decreasing Gd³⁺ lifetimes also indicates that there exists efficient energy transfer between Gd³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions.     

Dual structures and transition regions in <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>PbTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-(1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>)Pb(Zn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals

Model concepts of dual structures are developed as applied to crystals of xPbTiO₃-(1?x)Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ solid solutions in the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.08. The conditions of the formation of dual structures upon partial and complete relaxation of internal mechanical stresses are considered. A new model of transition regions is proposed for analyzing several variants of changing the unit cell parameters that satisfy the condition of complete stress relaxation inside the transition regions in crystals at concentrations x = 0.045 and 0.08. The influence of the intermediate phase P4mm and stability of its 90° domain structure on the formation of dual structures at x ≥ 0.045 is discussed.     

Investigation of the effect of annealing on the magnetic properties of Sn1−xEuxTe single crystals

A study of the effect of annealing on the magnetic properties of single crystals Sn_1−xEu_xTe is reported. The width of the electron paramagnetic resonance line of the crystal is found to decrease upon annealing but its g-value of 1.991 is nearly unaffected. Magnetization results indicate that the pair exchange interaction is weakly antiferromagnetic with a value of −0.67 K for the non-annealed sample and −0.29 K after annealed sample. Susceptibility measurements performed as a function of temperature also indicate the presence of EuTe clusters in the as-grown Sn_1−xEu_xTe crystals. Therefore it was deduced that the Eu²⁺ ions tend to form clusters, particularly pairs, in the as-grown crystal and these clusters disappear after annealing, as the Eu²⁺ ions occupy isolated sites in the SnTe host lattice.     

Optical properties of Li1−xNb1−xEu2xO3 solid solutions

Abstract

The effects of europium substitution on crystalline solubility, structural changes and optical properties of LiNbO₃ is reported. Li_1?xNb_1?xEu_2xO₃ solid solutions exist over a very limited range of europium concentrations (x ≤ 0.01). The solid solutions were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and density measurements. Within the range of compositions of the solid solutions, the optical properties (emission and excitation spectra) of the Eu³⁺ ions have been characterized. The obtained optical data indicate that two equally abundant europium luminescent species exist in the stoichiometric speciments; these correspond to the Eu³⁺ ions occupying the Li⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ sites, in agreement with the replacement mechanism which is inferred from density measurements. Other Eu³⁺ luminescent species which appear to be closely related with lithium deficiency were found to exist in nonstoichiometric samples, in addition to those which are present in the stoichiometric materials.     

Crystal growth,luminescence and scintillation properties of Eu2+:CeBr3 crystals

Eu²⁺:CeBr₃ crystals were grown by vertical Bridgman growth method and slight aliovalent doping of Eu²⁺ in the CeBr₃ crystal did not change the crystal structure. The X-ray stimulated luminescence, photoluminescence, decay kinetics and scintillation properties were investigated at room temperature. The X-ray stimulated luminescence spectra exhibited wide broad emission bands from 3.54 eV to 2.95 eV in the Eu²⁺:CeBr₃ crystal with high content of 620 ppm of Eu²⁺, which were the overlap of the emission bands ascribed to 5d → 4f transition of Ce³⁺ and 4f⁶5 d¹ → 4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺, respectively. When the content of Eu²⁺ was decreased to 70 ppm, another emission band centered at 2.29 eV was observed. The photoluminescence spectra showed the energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Eu²⁺. This decreased the Ce³⁺ emission intensity but enhanced the Eu²⁺ emission intensity. The photoluminescence decay time of Ce³⁺ emission decreased from 14 ns to 10 ns when the content of Eu²⁺ increased from 70 ppm to 620 ppm. The decay time of the emission of 525 nm did not change with the excitation wavelength and Eu²⁺ content, which could be assigned to the excitons that were bound on Eu²⁺ related centers. The light output of the Eu:CeBr₃ crystal under the excitation of ²⁴¹Am radioactive source was less than 20.2% of Tl:NaI crystal.