Luminescence and scintillation timing characteristics of (LuxGd2−x)SiO5:Ce single crystals

Abstract The luminescence and scintillation characteristics of cerium-doped lutetium-gadolinium orthosilicate (Lu x Gd 2−x SiO 5 :Ce; x=0, 0.8, 1.8) single crystals were investigated. At 662 keV γ-rays, the light yield of 29,800±3000 ph MeV −1 obtained for Lu 1.8 Gd 0.2 SiO 5 :Ce is higher than that of 20,200±2000 and 11,800±1200 ph MeV −1 obtained for Lu 0.8 Gd 1.2 SiO 5 :Ce and Gd 2 SiO 5 :Ce, respectively. The fast component decay time of 32, 18 and 17 ns was measured in the scintillation decay of Gd 2 SiO 5 :Ce, Lu 0.8 Gd 1.2 SiO 5 :Ce and Lu 1.8 Gd 0.2 SiO 5 :Ce, respectively. The coincidence time spectra for 511 keV annihilation quanta were measured in reference to a fast BaF 2 detector and time resolution was discussed in terms of a number of photoelectrons and decay time of the fast component. The mass attenuation coefficient for studied crystals at 60 and 662 keV γ-rays was also evaluated and discussed.