Effects of substitution of BaF2 for GdF3 on optical properties of dense oxyfluoride borogermanate scintillating glasses

Eu3+-activated B2O3-GeO2-37Gd2O3-3Eu2O3-(15–x)GdF3-xBaF2 (0≤x≤15) scintillating glasses with the density of 6.1–6.3 g/cm3 were synthesized by a melt-quenching method. The substitution of BaF2 for expensive GdF3 in oxyfluoride borogermanate glasses slightly decreased the glass density within 3.0%. Their optical properties were characterized by transmittance, photoluminescence (excitation and emission), and X-ray excited luminescence (XEL) spectra in detail. The emission intensity of Eu3+ ions increased with the elevated x values. The Eu–O covalancey nature and the local environment of Eu3+ ions were evaluated by Judd-Ofelt results. It was found that the covalency property of Eu–O bond increased with increasing x values.

The XEL spectra of Eu3+-activated oxyfluoride borogermanate glasses are compared, and the inset shows the integral emission intensity of Eu3+ ions in 604–640 nm wavelength regionFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide