Crystal growth and optical properties of the Nd3+ doped LuF3 single crystals

Thirty millimeter diameter single crystal of Nd3+ doped LuF3 was grown using LiF as solvent. The single phase crystallization was confirmed by the powder X-ray diffraction, and high structural perfection was demonstrated by X-ray rocking curve (XRC) measurements. FWHM of XRC for 220 reflection was 32 arcsec. No remarkable absorption due to unfavorable impurities was observed from optical absorption measurements in the VUV spectral region. The crystal showed the VUV luminescence peaking around 178 nm that is consistent with the 4f25d–4f3 transition of Nd3+ ion. The luminescence intensity of Nd:LuF3 under X-ray irradiation was significantly higher than that of reported VUV scintillators such as Nd:LaF3 or Nd:LiLuF4.

Research highlights
► The large size Nd:LuF3 single crystals was grown for scintillator applications.
► The grown crystal has shown excellent crystal quality.
► Nd:LuF3 performed the significant luminescence in VUV spectral region.