Luminescence, scintillation, and energy transfer in SiO₂ -Al₂ O₃ -B₂ O₃ -Gd₂ O₃ :Ce³⁺ ,Pr³⁺ glasses

Abstract

glasses (SABG: Ce,Pr) were prepared by melt quenching under a CO reducing atmosphere. Luminescence properties were investigated under UV and X-ray excitations. A dominant emission band at 430 nm belonging to the Ce 3þ :5d 1 ! 4f transition was observed in the photo-and radio-luminescence spectra. The energy transfer occurs from this Ce 3þ band toward the 3 P J levels of Pr 3þ with an efficiency of up to 24%, followed by the reduction of integrated luminescence intensity with an increasing Pr 3þ concentration. This result is attributed to the increase in the reabsorption of Ce 3þ luminescence and the non-radiative energy transfer toward the 3 P J levels of Pr 3þ . The cross-relaxation process within the Pr 3þ pairs can further diminish the total luminescence yield at high Pr 3þ concentrations. The integral scintillation efficiency and light yield measurements were carried out and compared to the reference Bi 4 Ge 3 O 12 (BGO) crystal.2 Experimental The SABG:Ce,Pr glasses with host composition (in mol.%) of 15SiO 2 -25Al 2 O 3 -30B 2 O 3 -