Luminescence properties of novel NaBa4(BO3)3:Ce, Eu phosphors

Novel Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺ activated NaBa₄(BO₃)₃ phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reactions. The excitation spectrum of NaBa₄(BO₃)₃:Ce³⁺ consists of an intense band peaking at 350 nm and a weak band in the higher energy side, and the emission spectrum exhibits a blue band with a maximum at about 420 nm. The Eu³⁺ emission in NaBa₄(BO₃)₃ consists of the transitions from ⁵D₀ to ⁷F_J, and the excitation spectrum consists of broad excitation band peaking at 270 nm and some intense narrow lines. The optimum doped concentration, the critical distance of the concentration quenching, and the fluorescence lifetime have also been investigated.     

Luminescence of doped lithium tetraborate single crystals and glass

Lithium tetraborate single crystal doped with Cu seems to be a promising new material for neutron detection. With the presence of Li and B, both having large cross section for neutron capture, efficient neutron detection is expected with high-energy deposits. In the present work, we chose 14 different dopants from Ia, Ib, IIIa, IVa and Va groups in the periodic table besides the rare earth Ce ion. The crystals were grown to a size of 20 mm in diameter and 70 mm in length by vertical Bridgman method. The grown crystals were characterized by optical transmittance and excitation–emission studies. Transmittance and emission characteristics of Ce-doped lithium borate glass are also reported.     

Luminescence of Ce3+ ion in aluminate based phosphors for scintillator

Ce³⁺ activated aluminate based phosphors prepared by combustion synthesis are reported here. The emission of Ce³⁺ ion is observed around 321–354 nm in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. The intensity of strong photoluminescence emission peak of Ce³⁺ ion increases when Mg is added to CaAl₁₂O₁₉ phosphor. The Ce³⁺ emission in CaAl₁₂O₁₉:Ce,Mg phosphor may be useful for scintillation application.     

Luminescence and scintillation properties of YAG:Ce single crystal and optical ceramics

We use various techniques to study optical and scintillation properties of Ce-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG:Ce), in the form of a high-quality industrial single crystal. This was compared to optical ceramics prepared from YAG:Ce nanopowders. We present experimental data in the areas of optical absorption, radioluminescence, scintillation decay, photoelectron yield, thermally stimulated luminescence and radiation-induced absorption. The results point to an interesting feature—the absence of antisite (Y_Al, i.e. Y at the Al site) defects in optical ceramics. The scintillation decay of the ceramics is faster than that of the single crystal, but its photoelectron yield (measured with 1 μs integration time) is about 30-40% lower. Apart from the photoelectron yield value the YAG:Ce optical ceramic is fully comparable to a high quality industrial YAG:Ce single crystal and can become a competitive scintillator material.     

Luminescence of calcium orthoborate doped by Ce3+ ions

The luminescence properties of calcium orthoborate Ca₃(BO₃)₂ doped with cerium are studied upon x-ray (～30 keV) and VUV (3.5–15 eV) synchrotron excitation. The emission bands peaked at 392 and 420 nm are attributed to interconfigurational transitions of Ce³⁺ ions. The short-wavelength emission band at 340 nm is caused by radiative decay of exciton-like states. The fundamental absorption edge of Ca₃(BO₃)₂ is found to be near 7.1 eV. Based on thermoluminescence data and other information, the behavior of defects in Ca₃(BO₃)₂:Ce³⁺ is studied.     

Effect of modifier oxides on absorption and emission properties of Eu doped different lithium fluoroborate glass matrices

Eu³⁺ doped lithium fluoroborate glass with different modifier oxides (Li₂B₄O₇–BaF₂–NaF–MO where M=Mg, Ca, Cd and Pb) and combinations of modifier oxides (Li₂B₄O₇–BaF₂–NaF–MgO+CaO, Li₂B₄O₇–BaF₂–NaF–CdO+PbO) were prepared by means of melt quenching method. These glass samples were analyzed by absorption, photoluminescence and decay curve measurements. The relative merits of thermal correction to the spectral intensities originating from the ground state (⁷F₀) of different absorption bands of Eu³⁺ are calculated. From the optical absorption measurements and using the Judd–Ofelt (J–O) theory, J–O parameters (Ω_λλ=2, 4 and 6) have been obtained which are used to predict the radiative properties such as radiative transition probabilities (A), radiative life-times (τ_R), and branching ratios (β_r) for certain transitions in all the glass matrices. From the emission spectra, peak stimulated emission cross-sections (σ_P) are obtained for the emission transitions, ⁵D₀→⁷F₁, ⁵D₀→⁷F₂, ⁵D₀→⁷F₃ and ⁵D₀→⁷F₄ of Eu³⁺ in lithium fluoroborate glass matrix with different modifier oxides. The fluorescence decay curves of the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition have been measured and analyzed for all the glass matrices.     

稀土硼酸盐玻璃中Ce3+的光谱性质和荧光衰减

合成Ｃｅ＾３＋掺杂的稀土硼酸盐玻璃,测试了材料的激发和发射光谱及荧光衰减曲线。紫外光激发下,玻璃中的Ｃｅ＾３＋发射强的蓝紫光,光谱的荧光寿命的分析结果表明,Ｃｅ＾３＋在这种稀土硼酸盐玻璃中形成两种性质不同的发光中心。     

Luminescence of Pr-doped LiCaAlF6 and LiSrAlF6 crystals

The spectral and kinetic parameters of LiCaAlF₆:Pr and LiSrAlF₆:Pr single crystals are studied at LHeT and room temperature (RT). Photon cascade emission (PCE), i.e., ¹S₀→¹I₆ and ³P₀→³H_j, ³F_j transitions after Pr³⁺ excitation via 4f²→4f 5d absorption results in the conversion of the vacuum ultraviolet photon to two visible photons. The excitation and photoemission spectra as well as decay times have been measured and compared with those for CaF₂:Pr and SrF₂:Pr crystals. X-ray luminescence was measured to study the emission origin from both ¹S₀ and ³P₀ states of Pr³⁺. An intense phosphorescence of LiSrAlF₆:Pr was observed in the visible range after X-irradiation at RT, contrary to LiCaAlF₆:Pr.     

Intense orange emission in Pr3+ doped lead phosphate glass

Spectroscopic properties of one mol% Pr₂O₃ embedded in 40%PbO–60%P₂O₅ glass have been investigated at room temperature. From the absorption spectra energy levels of the observed bands are assigned. Using free ion Hamiltonian theoretical values of energy of 13 multiplets of Pr³⁺ are calculated. Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters have been estimated by including and excluding the hypersensitive transition (³H₄→³P₂). The best set of Judd–Ofelt parameters are obtained by omitting ³H₄→³P₂ transition from the calculation. These parameters are used to evaluate the important laser parameters for various emission lines. Our investigation reveals that the present glass may be utilized as a laser active medium corresponding to ³P₀→³H₄ and ¹D₂→³H₄ transitions respectively, for 484.6 nm (blue) and 599.5 nm (strong orange) emissions. Indirect and direct optical band gap energies of Pr³⁺ doped lead phosphate glass matrix have also been reported.     

Growth and luminescent properties of Yb—doped oxide single crystals for scintillator application

Rod-shaped (Lu_1−xYb_x)₃Al₅O₁₂ with x=0.05, 0.15, 0.30 and (Y_1−xYb_x)AlO₃ with x=0.05, 0.10, 0.30 single crystals were grown by the micro-pulling-down method. Edge-defined film-fed growth method was used to prepare (Y_0.9Yb_0.1)VO₄ crystal, while Ca₈(La_1.98Yb_0.02)(PO₄)₆O₂ crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. Luminescence of these crystals was studied with main attention paid to the charge transfer emission of Yb³⁺. Temperature tuned decay times in the time scale of units—tens of nanosecond was measured as a feature possibly interesting for an application in scintillation detectors in positron emission tomography.     

Ce3+,Tb3+氟化物磷光体的发光性质比较

采用溶液反应和固相反应分别合成了Ｋ３ＡｌＦ６基质化合物及ＫＢＦ４：Ｃｅ,Ｔｂ和Ｋ３ＡｌＦ６：Ｃｅ,Ｔｂ等磷光体,研究了它们的光谱特性,并与ＫＡｌＦ４：Ｃｅ,Ｔｂ、ＣａＦ２：Ｔｂ和ＡｌＦ３：Ｃｅ,Ｔｂ等磷光体的发光特性进行了比较。结果发现,ＣａＦ２：Ｃｅ,Ｔｂ、ＡｌＦ３：Ｃｅ,Ｔｂ、ＫＢＦ４：Ｃｅ,Ｔｂ和Ｋ３ＡｌＦ６：Ｃｅ,Ｔｂ等磷光体中Ｃｅ＾３＋对Ｔｂ＾３＋的能量传递不能有效进行,有时Ｔｂ＾３＋起     

Luminescence of photochromic centers in calcium fluoride crystals doped with Lu3+ ions

We report data on the luminescence spectra associated with photochromic centers in X-ray irradiated calcium fluoride crystals doped with Lu ions. Irradiation in low energy photochromic centers absorption band excites emission, which can be identify with transitions into photochromic centers. Ab initio calculation of absorption spectrum of photochromic center agrees rather well with experimental data.     

Luminescence properties of silver zinc phosphate glasses following different irradiations

We report on exposing a photosensitive zinc phosphate glass containing silver to different radiation (electron, gamma, optical). Laser irradiations using nanosecond ultraviolet (UV) and femtosecond infrared (IR) laser are compared with gamma and electron exposure. All irradiated glasses exhibit absorption maxima around 320 nm and 380 nm and emission in the visible spectral range. Following exposure, silver clusters are formed. The optical response of such species is investigated using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The mechanism of formation of these clusters is discussed.     

Growth and radioluminescence of metal elements doped LiCaAlF6 single crystals for neutron scintillator

The ns²-type metal elements (Pb and Sn) doped LiCaAlF₆ single crystals were grown by a micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. Pb doped LiCaAlF₆ [Pb:LiCAF] crystals showed high transparency and single phase of the LiCAF structure. However, we could not obtain Sn:LiCAF crystals due to the evaporation of SnF₂ during the crystal growth. There was an absorption peak around 193 nm in the transmittance spectrum of Pb:LiCAF crystal. In the radioluminescence spectrum of the Pb:LiCAF crystal under X-ray irradiation, two emission peaks around 200 and 830 nm were observed.     

Luminescence and scintillation of Eu2+‐doped high silica glass

High silica glass doped with Eu²⁺ ions was prepared as a scintillating material by impregnation of Eu ions into a porous silica glass followed by reduction sintering in CO atmosphere. A dominant emission band of the Eu²⁺ 5d–4f transition peaking around 430 nm was observed in the luminescence spectrum with the excitation peak around 280 nm and no emission from Eu³⁺ was present. Photoluminescence decay kinetics was governed by decay times of a few microseconds. The Eu²⁺‐doped high silica glass exhibited comparable energy resolution and slightly higher photoelectron yield with respect to the Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ crystal in the pulse height spectra for X‐ray photon energies within 22–60 keV. Furthermore, a factor of 1.2 higher radioluminescence intensity was observed as well. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Enhanced efficiency of doubly doped PbWO 4 scintillator

Radio-, photo- and thermo-luminescence were measured for two sets of PbWO 4 single crystal samples doubly doped with Mo and Nb 5+ /Ta 5+ ions. Pentavalent ion codoping of PbWO 4 :Mo enhances the radioluminescence intensity to the level exceeding that of BGO scintillator. However, it introduces a new trapping level, which is reflected by the intense thermoluminescence-glow-curve peak around 100 v K. This trapping center is probably responsible for the increased occurrence of slow decay components in such doubly doped PbWO 4 .     

Preparation and properties of GAGG:Ce/glass composite scintillation material

The translucent GGAG:Ce/glass composites are prepared successfully by ball-milling, tableting, and pressureless sintering. The thickness of composites is about 400 μm. The x-ray diffraction(XRD), differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), density of composite materials are measured and discussed systematically. The scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS) elemental mapping are employed to analyze the particle size, the shape of powders, and the distribution of GGAG:Ce particles in the glass matrix, respectively. The decay time, ultraviolet,(UV),x-ray excitation luminescence spectra, and temperature spectra are studied. The results show that the composite materials have high light output, good thermostability, and short decay time. The method adopted in this work is an effective method to reduce the preparation time and cost of the sample. The ultralow afterglow indicates that the composite materials have an opportunity to be used for x-ray detection and imaging.     

Cathodoluminescence from deformed doped MgO crystals

The cathodoluminescence (CL) from indented Fe doped MgO single crystals has been studied with the scanning electron microscope and the results have been compared with the CL from undoped crystals. As in the undoped crystals, the iron doped crystals show in the deformed regions an enhanced luminescence emission but it has been found that iron acts as a quencher of luminescence. The results indicate that in the blue emission of the deformed crystals there is not a noticeable contribution of iron. From the evolution of CL with the irradiation time in the electron microscope it is concluded that the total Fe content influences the CL emission more than the Fe³⁺ content.     

Luminescence of ZnO nanopowders

The luminescence of ZnO nanocrystals prepared by different methods was studied under pulsed electron beam excitation. It is shown that the luminescence intensity depends on the nanocrystal sintering conditions and does not depend on the nanocrystal size within the range 10–50 nm. The relative luminescence intensities for the 3.32 eV (free exciton) and 3.20 eV (bound exciton) bands showed a dependence on nanocrystal size. The role of the nanocrystal surface in excitonic luminescence is discussed.     

Scintillating properties of LiYSiO_4:Ce

LiYSiO₄:Ce is a promising scintillator and some of its properties have been reported in previous papers. In this paper, samples doped with different concentrations of Ce are prepared and studied. First, the relative light yields of the samples are measured as 28.1%-37.1% compared with a standard anthracene crystal being irradiated by α particles and as ～ 27.2% compared with NaI being irradiated by X-rays. Second, the effects of sample thicknesses on light yields are presented. Finally the timing behaviors of samples with different doped concentrations being irradiated with alpha particles and X-rays are discussed. The result shows that LiYSiO₄:Ce is a kind of fast scintillator ( ～ 30 ns) with a moderate light yield that can be used for neutron detection.