Growth and luminescence characteristics of Pr3+-doped Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3 single crystal

Transparent Pr3+-doped Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3 crystal has been grown by Czochralski method. The crystal structure is confirmed to be hexagonal with space group R3¯c checked by XRD measurement. The optical transmission spectra (absorption spectra), photoluminescence emission and excitation spectra, fluorescence decay time and the X-ray excited luminescence spectra of the crystal are measured at room temperature. The cut-off edge of this material locates at round 250 nm and there is a broad absorption in the region from 250–500 nm. The photoluminescence emission spectrum is dominated by fast 5d4f1 → 4f2 band peaking at 303 nm having 11.9 ns decay time. The measurement results show that the Pr3+-doped Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3 crystal, due to high density, fast decay time, high scintillation efficiency and non-hygroscopic property, could be a promising scintillator.

► Transparent Pr3+-doped Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3 crystal was grown by Czochralski method.
► The crystal structure was confirmed to be hexagonal with space group R3¯c.
► The decay time of fast 5d14f1 → 4f2 transition of Pr3+ is 11.9 ns.
► The scintillation efficiency of Pr3+-doped Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3 can reach ∼170% BGO scintillator.
► The Pr3+-doped Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3 crystal could be a promising scintillator by improving the crystal quality and praseodymium concentration.