Engineering of YAG:Ce to improve its scintillation properties

Abstract

In this work we study the technological limits in the industrial scale growth of YAG:Ce by the Czochralski method in hydrogen-reducing atmosphere to speed-up its scintillation response using heavy codoping by magnesium. We present correlated experiments to characterize luminescence and scintillation properties focusing on light yield, scintillation decay incl. its rise time, and afterglow, and their dependence on magnesium content in the crystals. We show that an optimum amount of magnesium in combination with thermal treatment significantly improve the light yield, decrease afterglow and accelerate scintillation decay and its rise time.

Keywords

• YAG:Ce
• Scintillator
• Single crystal
• Mg2+
• Scintillation decay