A preliminary assessment of Lu2Y2Al2O9:Pr (LuYAM:Pr) as a potential scintillator

Abstract Lu 2 Y 2 Al 2 O 9 :Pr crystals have been grown by the micro-pulling-down method and their basic luminescence properties have been examined in order to estimate their utility for scintillator applications. The performed studies comprise the measurements of radioluminescence spectra as a function of temperature, photoluminescence emission and excitation spectra, and low temperature thermoluminescence glow curves. A comparison of the present results with those obtained recently for Y 4 Al 2 O 9 :Pr indicates that in spite of a higher density Lu 2 Y 2 Al 2 O 9 :Pr is a much less promising material, which is mainly due to the absence of the fast Pr 3+ d-f emission.