Optical and scintillation properties of LuGd2Al2Ga3O12:Ce, Lu2GdAl2Ga3O12:Ce, and Lu2YAl2Ga3O12:Ce single crystals: A comparative study

Abstract Optical and scintillation properties of LuGd2Al2Ga3O12:Ce, Lu2GdAl2Ga3O12:Ce, and Lu2YAl2Ga3O12:Ce single crystals are compared. The blue-shift of 5d1 → 4f photoluminescence emission (PL) band is observed upon partial substitution of Gd 3 + with a smaller Lu 3 + (or Y 3 + ) ion. At 662 keV γ -rays, the light yield of 35,400 ± 1,700 ph/MeV obtained for LuGd2Al2Ga3O12:Ce is higher than that of 29,200 ± 1,500 ph/MeV and 20,200 ± 1,000 ph/MeV for Lu2GdAl2Ga3O12:Ce and Lu2YAl2Ga3O12:Ce, respectively. Scintillation decays are approximated by sum of exponentials with the fast component decay time and relative intensity of 78 ns (42%) for LuGd2Al2Ga3O12:Ce, 48 ns (71%) for Lu2GdAl2Ga3O12:Ce and 45 ns (88%) for Lu2YAl2Ga3O12:Ce, which leads to a superior coincidence time resolution of Lu2YAl2Ga3O12:Ce. PL decay time at 110 K and 290 K, afterglow characteristics, and mass attenuation coefficient at 59.5 keV and 662 keV γ - rays are also presented.