Scintillation properties of TGG and TSAG crystals for imaging applications

Optical and scintillation properties of TGG (Tb3Ga5O12) and TSAG (Tb3Sc2Al3O12) crystals were investigated, and capabilities to be used as a scintillator screen were demonstrated. In photoluminescence (PL) spectra, some emission lines due to Tb3+4f-4f transitions appeared from 500 to 700 nm. PL quantum yields of TGG and TSAG were 6.5% and 50.9%, respectively. When irradiated by X-rays, these crystals showed intense scintillation, and the emission wavelengths were the same as those in PL spectra. The scintillation decay times of TGG and TSAG were 94 and 678 μs, respectively. Further, we have demonstrated X-ray imaging using both TSGG and TSAG crystal plates and confirmed a capability as scintillator screens.