Effects of Preparation Atmosphere and Doping Concentration on Scintillation and Photoluminescence Properties of Lu2O3:Eu Scintillation Single Crystals

Abstract

Lu2O3:1%Eu and Lu2O3:8%Eu series single crystals were grown by optical floating zone method under air, N2, and H2-Ar mixed atmosphere (5vol%H2 and 95vol%Ar). The effects of preparation atmosphere and doping concentration on the scintillation and photoluminescence properties have been investigated and discussed. Correlated measurements of afterglow curves, X-ray excited luminescence spectra, photoluminescence excitation and photoluminescence, photoluminescence decay, and thermal stimulated luminescence curves were performed. Although Eu(S6) luminescence can be significantly depressed under oxidizing atmosphere, Lu2O3:8%Eu grown under weak reducing atmosphere presents the lowest afterglow intensity. This phenomenon was explained by different interstitial oxygen atom concentrations in the samples.