Scintillation characteristics of Pr-doped Lu3Al5O12 single crystals

Pr-doped Lu3Al5O12 (Pr:LuAG) bulk single crystals were grown by Czochralski method. The crystals were seeded-grown in the 〈1 1 1〉 direction. Dimensions up to 100 mm in length and 1 in in diameter were achieved without cracking. Concentrations of Pr3+ in several parts of grown crystals were measured precisely and segregation coefficients of each crystal were determined. Scintillation light yield of each part of the crystals was measured and dependence on light yield on Pr concentration was determined. Optimum concentration of Pr was clarified and compared to the standard Bi4Ge3O12(BGO) sample; Pr optimum concentration was around 0.2–0.3% and light yield of Pr:LuAG was more than two times higher than BGO. Scintillation decay of Pr:LuAG was measured and a dominant decay time of about 20 ns was evaluated.