Optical and scintillation properties of Ce-doped (Gd2Y1)Ga2.7Al2.3O12 single crystal grown by Czochralski method

Multicomponent garnets, due to their excellent light yield and energy resolution, become one of the most promising scintillators used for homeland security and nuclear non-proliferation applications. This work focuses on the optimization of Ce-doped (Gd,Y)3(Ga,Al)5O12 scintillators using a combination strategy of pre-screening and scale-up. Ce-doped GdxY1−xGayAl5−yO12 (x=1, 2 and y=2, 2.2, 2.5, 2.7, 3) polycrystalline powders were prepared by high-temperature solid state reaction method. The desired garnet phase in all the samples was confirmed using X-ray diffraction measurement. By comparing the radioluminescence intensity, the highest scintillation efficiency was achieved at a component of Gd2Y1Ga2.7Al2.3O12:Ce powders. A (Gd2Y1)Ga2.7Al2.3O12 doped with 1% Ce single crystal with dimensions of Ø35×40 mm was grown by Czochralski method using a <111> oriented seed. Luminescence and scintillation properties were measured. An optical transmittance of 84% was achieved in the concerned wavelength from 500 to 800 nm. Its 5d-4f emission of Ce3+ is at 530 nm. The light yield of a Ce1%: Gd2Y1Ga2.7Al2.3O12 single crystal slab at a size of 5×5×1 mm3 can reach about 65,000±3000 Ph/MeV along with two decay components of 94 and 615 ns under 137Cs source irradiation.