Scintillation properties of Er-doped Y3Al5O12 single crystals

•Er doped Y3Al5O12 single crystal scintillators were grown with different Er concentrations.•Optical properties associated with 4f-4f transition were evaluated.•Radio luminescence spectra measurements were performed under 5.5 MeV alpha-ray irradiation.•The highest light yield was estimated to be 63% of that of Bi4Ge3O12 under 5.5 MeV alpha-ray irradiation.

Er-doped Y3Al5O12 single crystals with different Er concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, 10, 30, and 50% were grown by the micro-pulling down method. There were several absorption lines due to the Er3+ 4f-4f transitions in the transmittance spectra and these lines correspond to the transitions from the ground state of 4I15/2 to the excited states. The photo- and radio-luminescence spectra showed Er3+ 4f-4f emissions. Relative light yield under 5.5 MeV alpha-ray irradiation of Er 0.1%:Y3Al5O12 was estimated to be 63% of that of Bi4Ge3O12.