Scintillation properties of Yb3+-doped YAG transparent ceramics

We investigated scintillation properties of Yb3+-doped Y3A5O12 (YAG) transparent ceramics with different dopant concentrations. The transparency of both 0.3% and 15% Yb3+-doped exceeded 70% in the wavelength range 300–800 nm, and two kinds of absorption bands due to charge transfer (CT) transition and 4f–4f forbidden transition of Yb3+ were observed around 200–250 nm and 900 nm, respectively. Ultraviolet luminescence caused by the CT transition between Yb3+ and O2− was observed under α-ray excitation from 241Am sealed source. The scintillation decay times were determined to be about 2.2 ns (Yb 0.3%) and 1.4 ns (Yb 15%) using the streak camera system equipped with pulsed X-ray source. From 241Am alpha-ray-excited pulse height spectra, the relative scintillation light yield of 0.3% and 15% Yb3+-doped ceramics was 7% and 10% compared with that of BGO commercial scintillator.

► This report is first study of scintillation properties of Yb:YAG transparent.
► The ceramics showed more than 70% transparency in visible wavelength range.
► Yb3+ charge transfer luminescences were observed around 350 and 480 nm.
► The fast decay time found to be about 1–2 ns for the Yb:YAG ceramics.