Recombination luminescence in lead tungstate scintillating crystals

Room temperature radioluminescence and photoluminescence decay kinetics measurements of Ba-doped PbWO₄ crystals were compared with those of undoped and Mo-doped samples. Photoluminescence decay measurements focus on the coexistence of the immediate (fast) decay having a decay time of a few nanoseconds with slower delayed recombination decay processes. The radioluminescence emission peaking at 500 nm in Ba-doped crystals is similar to that observed in Mo-doped samples. However, photoluminescence of the Ba-doped crystals shows much faster decay kinetics with respect to that of PbWO₄:Mo. Wavelength-resolved thermally stimulated luminescence data (10–300 K) provides complementary information about trapping states and is correlated to photoluminescence decay kinetics.     

Effect of annealing on structural and optical properties of lead tungstate microcrystals

Shuttle-like lead tungstate (PbWO₄) microcrystals are synthesized at room temperature using the precipitation method with the cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide. Results from both the X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscopy show that the lattice distortions of the PbWO₄ microcrystals are reduced significantly when the annealing temperature is increased to 873 K. The result from the ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy shows that the exciton absorption appears in the sample annealed at 673 K. The self-trapped exciton luminescence due to the Jahn-Teller effect is also observed in the blue band. The interstitial oxygen ions in the WO₄^2- groups are mainly resposible for the enhancement effect of the green luminescence of the annealed samples. The above results are supported by the spectrum analysis of the as-grown and the post-annealed samples using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Influence of the light illumination on thermoluminescence properties of PbWO4

The thermally stimulated properties of PbWO₄ in the temperature range 90–400 K have been investigated on undoped and terbium-doped crystals after X-ray irradiation at 90 K. Doping with terbium changes the concentration of shallow traps, which are responsible for retrapping free electrons and holes. Light illumination can change the distribution of the traps. The optically stimulated luminescence is observed. The influence of light illumination on the TSL curves and emission properties is studied. The possible mechanism of TSL phototransformation is discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of nanophased silver tungstate

Silver tungstate (Ag₂WO₄) nanoparticles in two different morphologies are prepared by controlling the reaction kinetics of aqueous precipitation. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the silver tungstate nanoparticles are in the α-phase. SEM images show the rod-like and fiber-like morphologies of the nanoparticles with high aspect ratios. The TGA and DTA studies show the high thermal stability of the nanorods. The average crystallite sizes (20–30 nm) of the rod-like silver tungstate estimated from TEM is consistent with the XRD results     

Luminescent spectroscopy and structure of centers of the impurity Eu ions in lead tungstate crystals

Spectral-luminescent properties of the lead tungstate crystals doped with the Eu³⁺ ions were investigated in a wide temperature range at different excitation and registration wavelengths. The spectra consist of both weak wide nonstructural bands of the matrix emission and narrow spectral lines caused by inner f-f electron transitions in the impurity Eu³⁺ ions. The analysis and interpretation of spectral lines observed in excitation and luminescence spectra have shown formation of at least two different types of luminescent centers on the basis of the Eu³⁺ ions in the PbWO₄ crystals. These two types of centers are considered to be caused by arrangement of the impurity Eu³⁺ ions in Pb sites as well as in W sites of host matrix. For both types of centers values of S² scalar crystal field strength, and crystal field parameters were estimated and local site symmetries were found.     

Effects of Na and K co-doping on growth and scintillation properties of Eu:SrI2 crystals

We grew Na and K co-doped Eu:SrI₂ [Na,Eu:SrI₂ and K,Eu:SrI₂] crystals by a modified micro-pulling-down method to reveal the co-doping effects on the crystal growth and scintillation properties. The non-codoped, Na0.5%, Na1.0%, K0.5% and K1.0%,Eu:SrI₂ crystals indicated high transparency while the milky parts were generated in the Na5.0% and K5.0%,Eu:SrI₂ crystals. The light yields of Na,Eu:SrI₂ and K,Eu:SrI₂ crystals under γ-ray irradiation were decreased by the Na and K co-doping. On the other hand, there was a small change within 940–1020 ns in the decay times by the Na and K co-doping. In the light yield proportionality under γ-ray irradiation, the non-proportionality in the low energy region was improved by Na and K co-doping.     

The specific heat of potassium holmium double tungstate

The results of measurements of thermal properties (specific heat) of potassium holmium double tungstate KHo(WO₄)₂ as a function of temperature (from 0.5 to 300?K) and magnetic field (up to 2?T) are presented. The total specific heat without the phonon and Schottky contributions is found to have the anomaly with maximum at T _SPT?～?5?K. This anomaly is likely related with the structural phase transition (SPT) caused by the cooperative Jahn–Teller effect. The increase of specific heat at very low temperatures and its shift towards high temperatures with increasing magnetic field are observed. The origin of this behaviour can be connected with possible magnetic phase transition induced by magnetic field.     

Effects of annealing on the electrical properties of HgTe crystals

The carrier mobility of HgTe crystals at 15°C increased to as much as $\text{33,000}\text{cm}{}^2\text{V sec}$, and the transverse magnetoresistance decreased, when the crystals were annealed long enough in mercury vapor. The results are compared with our calculations of the galvanomagnetic effects for mixed scattering by phonons and charged centers, which was made for a parabolic band. It is concluded that the density of charged centers decreases with annealing, and that acoustic phonons may be the dominant scattering sources near room temperature.     

Scintillation properties of Er-doped Y3Al5O12 single crystals

Er-doped Y₃Al₅O₁₂ single crystals with different Er concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 10, 30, and 50% were grown by the micro-pulling down method. There were several absorption lines due to the Er³⁺ 4f-4f transitions in the transmittance spectra and these lines correspond to the transitions from the ground state of ⁴I_15/2 to the excited states. The photo- and radio-luminescence spectra showed Er³⁺ 4f-4f emissions. Relative light yield under 5.5 MeV alpha-ray irradiation of Er 0.1%:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ was estimated to be 63% of that of Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂.     

A quantitative study of sodium tungstate protective effect on pancreatic beta cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes is a major public health problem. Development of new therapies that are able to improve glycemia management, cure diabetes, and can even protect from it, are of great interest. This study investigated the protective effect of sodium tungstate against STZ-induced beta-cell damages by means of stereological methods. Sixty rats were divided into six groups: control (C), tungstate-treated control (TC), STZ-induced diabetic (D), STZ-induced diabetic rats were treated by sodium tungstate from 1 week before STZ injection (TDB), food-restricted diabetic (FRD), and diabetic rats treated with sodium tungstate 1 week after STZ administration (TDA). Stereological estimation of pancreas volume, islets volume density, volume-weighted mean islets volume and mass of beta cells, islets, and pancreas and total number of islets were done. Islets volume density, volume-weighted mean islets volume, and mass of beta cells, islets, and pancreas of TDB group was significantly higher than D, FRD and TDA groups (P < 0.001) and was comparable to controls (C and TC groups). Total number of islets, pancreas wet weight and volume did not show any significant changes between these groups (P > 0.05).Results suggested that sodium tungstate preserves pancreatic beta cells from STZ-induced damages and diabetes induction in rats.     

Scintillation properties of Yb-doped garnet crystals

Luminescence properties of heavily Yb-doped Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ (Yb:LuAG) and Lu₃Ga₅O₁₂ (Yb:LGG) single crystals grown by micro-pulling-down method were characterized. Charge transfer luminescence of Yb³⁺ was observed in both crystals. Photoluminescence spectra, temperature dependence of emission intensity and decay kinetics of these crystals were studied. Mean decay time of about 24 ns at 90 K (Yb5%:LuAG) and 21 ns at 110 K (Yb5%:LuGG) were observed. Strong thermal quenching at room temperature was measured for both Yb:LuAG and Yb:LGG.     

二维磁振子晶体中点缺陷模的耦合性质研究

在超原胞近似下, 利用平面波展开法数值计算了多点缺陷的二维磁振子晶体带结构及其部分缺 陷模的磁化强度场分布. 研究结果表明, 点缺陷模间的能量发生了耦合, 使自旋波沿着缺陷方向传播. 利用该性质可将含多点缺陷体的二维磁 振子晶体作为自旋波导波器件的制作材料.     

Optical spectroscopy of neodymium-doped calcium barium niobate ferroelectric crystals

In this work, the optical absorption, luminescence and Raman spectra of a single Ca_0.28Ba_0.72Nb₂O₆:Nd³⁺ ferroelectric crystal have been measured and compared to those obtained for the self-frequency solid-state laser converter Sr_0.61Ba_0.39Nb₂O₆:Nd³⁺ crystal. The calcium-niobate system displays a much higher transition temperature (∼150 °C) than the strontium-niobate one (∼80 °C) and so it appears as an excellent candidate for a self-frequency converter solid-state laser, more stable to pumping radiation that than based on the strontium-niobate one.     

Growth and scintillation properties of doped ZnWO4 crystals

A series of ZnWO₄ crystals with different purities of WO₃ and ZnO were grown by conventional Czochralski method and compared with Fe:ZnWO₄, Nb:ZnWO₄, Ag:ZnWO₄ and Ce:ZnWO₄ crystals grown by the same technology. Scintillation experiments revealed that the light yield of undoped ZnWO₄ crystals varied with the purities of raw materials WO₃ and ZnO. Raising the concentration of iron ions in ZnWO₄ crystals resulted in reduction of the light yield from the lighter appearance. On the contrary, the light yield was enhanced by doping Ag₂O, Nb₂O₅ and CeO₂, equivalent to that observed in ZnWO₄ crystals after oxygen-rich annealing at high temperature. The mechanisms of coloration and decolorization in doped ZnWO₄ crystals were analyzed. And the relationship between enhanced scintillation properties and the color center complex of iron impurity and oxygen vacancy in the crystals was discussed.     

Fast heavy scintillators on the basis of tungstate single crystals

New very promising heavy fast PbWO₄ crystals as radiators for dense high resolution photon calorimeters were studied in this paper. Radiation detector parameters obtained with the real-size calirometer cells are presented. It was shown that owing to high density and transparency, quick response (4 ns), high radiation stability (about 10 mrad) with energy resolution 1% at an energy above 1 GeV, the PbWO₄-based scintillators are a most advantageous candidate for the creation of total absorption compact detectors of EM caorimeters.     

氟离子掺杂钨酸铅闪烁晶体的发光特性

钨酸铅(PWO)晶体是一种综合性能非常优异的无机闪烁晶体,并且在高能物理研究领域已获得重要应用,但光输出偏低的缺点严重制约了它在非高能物理领域的应用.本文采用氟化铅作为掺杂剂,用Bridgman方法生长出了光输出比普通PWO晶体高出2—3倍的新型PWO晶体.紫外和X射线荧光光谱的测试结果表明,这种新型晶体的发光波长比纯PWO晶体红移了大约134 nm,即为553 nm,衰减时间也从几十纳秒延长到100 ns以上,且光输出随积分时间的增加而增强.此外,发射波长和光输出沿晶体生长方向存在明显的位置依赖性,初期     

Red emission of PbWO4 crystals

Luminescence characteristics of a large number of undoped and doped PbWO₄ crystals, grown by the Czochralski or Bridgman method, as-grown or annealed in the nitrogen atmosphere or in air, were studied in the 4.2–300 K temperature range. Two types of red emission centres were found. The centres with the emission band, peaking at 4.2 K at 1.57 eV, were observed in most of the crystals studied. The centres with the emission band, peaking at 4.2 K at 1.48 eV, were observed only in the PbWO₄ : Mo⁶⁺, Y³⁺ crystal. It is suggested that incompletely compensated lead vacancies are responsible for the appearance of the red emission.     

Effects of forming gas annealing on LiNbO3 single crystals

Z-cut congruent LiNbO₃ single crystals were annealed in 95%N₂+5%H₂ at high temperatures. X-ray diffraction showed that 2θ of (0 0 0 6) peak is obviously reduced by 0.6° and 1.0° for the samples annealed at 600 and 900 °C, respectively. A new peak appears at the high-energy side of O 1s spectrum in X-ray photoelelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses, and the leakage current is greatly increased. It is proposed that hydrogen is incorporated in LiNbO₃ single crystals through forming gas annealing at temperatures up to 900 °C and exists in LiNbO₃ as a proton bound to an oxygen ion through O-H bond with its electron donated.     

Fascinating morphologies of lead tungstate nanostructures by chimie douce approach

Lead tungstate occurs in nature as tetragonal stolzite of scheelite (CaWO₄) type and monoclinic raspite. In this work, we report, the typical growth of snowflake-like tetragonal stolzite and bamboo-leaf-like monoclinic raspite nanocrystals of PbWO₄ via a simple aqueous precipitation method and a polyol (polyethylene glycol-200) mediated precipitation method at room temperature (27 °C). The synthesised PbWO₄ nanocrystals were characterised by XRD, SEM, EDAX and TGA–DTA. The UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence studies of PbWO₄ nanocrystals in the two morphologies were performed. The nuclei of PbWO₄ nanocrystals in aqueous medium self-assemble in a tetragonal manner to form the snowflake-like crystals. In polyol medium, PbWO₄ nuclei preferentially grow by oriented attachment process to form the bamboo-leaf-like morphology. The specific morphology of the regularly assembled PbWO₄ nanocrystals in the two phases finds applications in nanoelectronics and photonics. Compared to other well-known scintillators, PbWO₄ is most attractive for high-energy physics applications, because of its high density, short decay time and high irradiation damage resistance.     

KDP晶体中点缺陷Na取代K的电子结构研究

对磷酸二氢钾(KDP)晶体中Na取代K点缺陷的几何结构及电子结构进行了第一性研究。计算的形成能约为0.46 eV,因此在KDP晶体中此类缺陷比较容易形成。Na取代K以后没有在带隙中形成缺陷态,但在价带中引入两个占据态。它们分别位于费米面以下49 eV和21.5 eV处,这两个占据态分别由Na原子的s和p轨道形成。相对于K来说,由于它们位于价带深处,具有很低的能量,因此Na在KDP中比K稳定。Na在KDP晶体中与周围氧原子的重叠布居仅为0.09, 故它不与主体原子发生共价作用,仅以静电库仑力影响周围原子,此缺陷周围晶格仅发生微小畸变。