Scintillation characteristics of Nd³⁺-doped BaO–Al₂O₃–TeO₂ glasses

Abstract

Photoluminescence and scintillation characteristics of Nd3+-doped TeO2 glasses [(15–x)BaO–5Al2O3–80TeO2–xNd2O3 (x = 0.1–1.0)] were evaluated. The Nd3+-doped TeO2 glasses exhibited sharp emission peaks originating from the 4f–4f transition of Nd3+ in photoluminescence. The 0.1% Nd3+-doped TeO2 glass showed the highest quantum yield (about 33%). In addition, 0.1%–1.0% Nd3+-doped TeO2 glasses showed photoluminescence decay time constants in the time range of 128–194 μs originating from the 4F3/2 → 4I9/2 transition of Nd3+. In scintillation, the 0.1%–1.0% Nd3+-doped TeO2 glasses exhibited sharp scintillation peaks at around 905, 1060, and 1335 nm ascribed to the 4f–4f transitions of Nd3+. The 0.5% and 1.0% Nd3+-doped TeO2 glasses exhibited high intensities. The decay times of the Nd3+-doped TeO2 glasses under X-ray were in the time range of 123–174 μs. Moreover, the Nd3+-doped TeO2 glasses exhibited afterglow levels of about 618–829 ppm.