Composition and properties tailoring in Mg2+ codoped non-stoichiometric LuAG:Ce,Mg scintillation ceramics

A comprehensive study of the optical, radioluminescence and scintillation properties of both the Lu3+ rich and Lu3+ deficient non-stoichiometric Lu3+xAG:Ce,Mg (Lu3+xAl5O12:Ce,Mg, x = −4, −1, +1 and +4 at.%) ceramics are performed, completed further by the microstructure and defects characterization. Small deviation from the stoichiometric composition as well as Mg2+ codoping plays a crucial role in ceramic transparency, radioluminescence intensity and the timing characteristics of scintillation response. The LuAl antisite defects could be suppressed efficiently by controlling Lu3+ content below stoichiometry of LuAG host. MgO (Mg2+ ions) as effective sintering aids, can improve both the optical quality and scintillation performance (light yield, scintillation decay times and the ratio of fast decay components). We generally discuss the composition dependence of defects and properties tailoring. We also performed the systematic comparative study with the stoichiometric LuAG:Ce,Mg ceramic and the commercial BGO and LuAG:Ce single crystals.