Scintillation properties of Gd3Al2Ga3O12:Ce (GAGG:Ce): a comparison between monocrystalline and nanoceramic samples

In this Communication the behavior of two types of Gd3Al2Ga3O12:Ce samples under gamma and X-ray excitation is compared. Single crystals of GAGG:1%Ce have been grown by the Czochralski technique, while nanoceramic pills of GAGG:1%Ce have been fabricated by the LTHP sintering from nanocrystalline powders prepared by the Pechini method. The results of pulse height, scintillation time profile, radioluminescence as a function of temperature, and low temperature thermoluminescence measurements, are reported, indicating that monocrystals are still a better choice for scintillator application, nevertheless some of the properties of nanoceramics are indeed promising and there should be a room for improvement.