Light yield of (Lu, Y, Gd)3Al2Ga3O12:Ce garnets

Two sets of Ce-doped multicomponent garnet scintillator samples were prepared using Czochralski method. Best performing sample from the first group was Gd3Al2Ga3O12 doped by 1% of Ce. Therefore, samples of Gd3Al2Ga3O12 with different thickness have been prepared for the second set. Light yield, its dependence on amplifier shaping time, energy resolution, and non-proportionality have been measured using hybrid photomultiplier. Best performing sample exhibits following parameters: light yield of 50 600 photons/MeV, energy resolution of 5.5%@662 keV, fast scintillation component intensity 91%, and good proportionality. Performance of other samples was negatively affected presumably either by ionization of 5d1 excited state of Ce3+ center or electron traps.

► Scintillation response of (Gd,Y,Lu)3(Ga,Al)5O12:Ce garnets was studied.
► Gd3Al2Ga3O12:Ce has been found of best scintillation performance of garnets.
► Light yield & energy resolution reached 50 000 phot/MeV and 5.5%@662 keV, respectively.