Crystal growth and luminescence properties of Cr-doped YAlO3 single crystals

We have investigated optical and scintillation properties of Cr-doped YAlO3 (Cr:YAP) single crystals with different Cr concentrations. Cr:YAP crystals were grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. The grown crystals had a single-phase confirmed by the powder XRD analysis. For all the Cr-doped samples, a peak positioned near 700 nm wavelength dominates the spectra. It can be ascribed to the Cr3+2E→4A2 emission. In X-ray induced radioluminescence spectra, 2E→4A2 emissions were observed. The light output of Cr 0.5%:YAP under X-ray excitation was more than twice as high as the standard CdWO4.

► Cr:YAP crystals were grown by the micro-pulling-down method.
► Photoluminescence spectra indicated emission peaks due to Cr3+2E→4A2 transitions.
► In X-ray induced radioluminescence spectra, Cr3+2E→4A2 emissions were observed.