Structural and Optical properties of GdAlO3:Tb3+ Crystal Obtained by Optical Floating Zone Method

Abstract Gadolinium aluminate single crystal (GdAlO3: Tb3+, GAP:Tb) was obtained by optical floating zone technique (OFZ). The crystal was grown at a fast pulling rate (7.0 mm/h) in atmosphere ambient. The structural characterization proves the crystal having a high degree of crystallization and perovskite nature by XRD, SAED and IR. SEM/EDS results show neither element segregation nor defects in the crystal. Residual stress in this crystal, without annealing treatment, is close to YAG crystal made by Bridgman method. Absorption and photoluminescence spectra suggest a strong absorption in 200–400 nm (related to Tb3+-O2- and Gd3+ 8S7/2→6G/D/I/PJ) and a bright green emission centered at 548 nm (related to Tb3+ 5D4→7F5). The energy spectrum also show GdAlO3:Tb3+ crystal could be a good scintillator.