Growth and scintillation properties of Yb-doped Lu 3 Al 5 O 12 crystals

Yb-doped Lu 3 Al 5 O 12 (Yb:LuAG) single crystals were grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. The crystals were seeded-grown in the 〈1 1 1〉 direction and dimensions up to 300 mm in length and 5 mm in diameter were achieved. Photoluminescence spectra and decay kinetics of Yb:LuAG were studied after annealing. Under 225 nm excitation the double-peak emission at 335 and 480 nm was observed. Photoluminescence decay time of 23.9 ns was evaluated at 340 nm and T =80 K. Similar emission properties as those reported earlier for Yb-doped YAG crystal were obtained.