Studies of nanocrystalline rare earth gallate and aluminate scintillators prepared by a new method

Powdered gallates and aluminates of rare earth metals doped with rare earth activators of scintillations have been synthesized by a new method based on dissolving of initial oxides or nitrates in ammonium nitrate mel (at about 200 °C). Subsequent annealings in the range from 500 °C to about 1000 °C resulted in gradual modifications of the dimensions of the grains in nanoscopic range from 2 to 3 nm to more than 100 nm. The studies of the spectra of photo- and X-ray luminescence showed that the structure of radiative electron transitions was modified in parallel with variations of the grain sizes of the materials. Essential increase of the light emission by optimal nanocrystalline structure was obtained.