Growth and scintillation properties of Tb doped LiGdF4/LiF eutectic scintillator

Tb-doped LiGdF4-LiF eutectics were grown at various growth rate and their directionally solidified eutectic (DSE) system has been investigated. Well aligned fiber like eutectic structure with around 1.7 μm in diameter and 1200 μm in maximum length was obtained the growth speed of 0.15 mm/min. The sample showed optical transparency like bundle optical fibers and around 40% of transmittance at 1.5 mm thick was achieved in 380-630 nm range. The expected 380-630 nm emission exited by UV and α-ray, and 270-330 nm excitation of Tb3+8S -6P transition have been observed. The weak emission of Gd3+ 4f-4f transition at 310 nm was also observed under alpha-ray excitation. The Observed excitation bands peaking at around 275 nm and 310 nm correspond respectively to the 8S7/2- 6I7/2 and 8S7/2-6PJ absorption bands of Gd3+.