Scintillation of Sol–Gel Derived Lutetium Orthoborate Doped with Ce3+ Ions

Ce^{3 +}-doped LuBO₃ powders have been prepared by a sol–gel process with Ce^{3 +} concentration varying between 0 and 5 mol%. These materials have been analyzed by X-ray Diffraction and Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy. The results confirm that all the materials have the vaterite type even if the calcination has been performed at 800°C. Furthermore, doping with Ce^{3 +} ions does not affect the structure and the vaterite is preserved even at 5% doping. Scanning Electron Microscopy showed a very uniform morphology with small spherical grains with a narrow size distribution. Optical properties have been studied to confirm the effective substitution of Ce^{3 +} for Lu^{3 +} ions and to determine the materials scintillation performances. It has been shown that 0.5% is the optimum Ce(III) concentration in term of scintillation yield with an X-ray conversion yield equivalent to that of standard BGO (Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂). The afterglow has also been measured and confirms the potential of these materials as scintillators.