Fabrication of ceramic scintillators by laser sintering: the case of Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Pr

Abstract

The fabrication of ceramic scintillators by laser sintering is briefly reviewed and current limitations discussed. The experimental work focused on the fabrication and characterization of undoped and Pr-doped Lu3Al5O12 (LuAG). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure of the sintered ceramics, with XRD results suggesting the absence of residual thermal stresses. Collectively, Raman results suggested the incorporation of Pr to affect the structure and its dynamics. Broadening of the peaks of the ceramics in relation to those from the single crystal revealed the presence of structural disorder. Scanning electron microscopy revealed intergrain porosity thus explaining the lack of optical transparency. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) measurements showed Pr to be homogeneously distributed. Radioluminescence measurements under X-ray excitation as a function of the temperature were used to investigate intrinsic defects of the host, including anti-sites and F-type defects.

Photoluminescence and Radioluminescence Properties of Y3Al5O12 Doped with 3d-Transition Metal Ions

“…Although many scintillators have been studied in the last few decades, (4)(5)(6)(7) fundamental studies on novel scintillators still continue to achieve better performance than ever before. There have been reports on various types of scintillator, such as single crystals, (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21) nanocrystals, (22) crystalline films, (23) ceramics, (24)(25)(26)(27) glasses, (28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37) plastics, (38) and organic-inorganic hybrid materials, (39)(40)(41)(42) even in the last few years. In terms of the luminescent center, specific dopants such as Ce, Eu, and Tl have been mainly used for commercial scintillators; however, other dopants are also of our interest.…”

Crystal Growth of Quaternary AkRE2Si2S8 (Ak = Ca and Sr; RE = La–Tb) Thiosilicates Using Flux-Assisted Boron Chalcogen Mixture Method: Exploring X-ray Scintillation, Luminescence, and Magnetic Properties

“…Scintillators, essential for X-ray or γ-ray detection, hold significant importance for their widespread use in computed tomography scanners, for detecting radioactive contaminants, as well as for security and other medical and industrial applications. − Different approaches for the development of new luminescent and potentially scintillating materials include the incorporation of luminophores into specific crystal structures . In the past decades, many fluorescent sulfide materials were developed by doping select crystal structures with transition or rare earth elements, − where the dopant partially or fully occupies the crystallographic sites of a host material.…”

Optical and scintillation properties of Lumilass-G and -R glasses

“…In terms of material forms in scintillators, bulk single crystal, [16][17][18] transparent ceramic, [19][20][21] and glass [22][23][24] materials have been mainly used. To achieve a high detection efficiency, bulk form is important in most scintillation detectors.…”