LuAG:Ce and LuYAG:Ce scintillation crystals grown under reducing conditions from W crucibles
D. Kofanov, Iaroslav Gerasymov, O. Sidletskiy, S. Tkachenko, Ya. Boyaryntseva, D. Kurtsev, О. V. Zelenskaya, O.M. Okrushko, T.E. Gorbacheva, O. Viagin, Pavel Maksimchuk, Kheirreddine Lebbou
Abstract
The paper addresses cost-efficient methods of crystal growth from W crucibles in the reducing Ar + CO atmosphere. Lu3Al5O12 (LuAG:Ce) and (Lu1-xYx)3Al5O12 (LuYAG:Ce) scintillating crystals were grown by the Czochralski technique. The impact of Ce concentration on optical and scintillation properties of LuAG:Ce crystal was evaluated, as well as the optimal Lu/Y ratio in LuYAG:Ce was selected. The optical and scintillation properties of the grown crystals were investigated. The light yield in the mixed crystals reached 28,000 phot/MeV, while the energy resolution at 662 keV amounted to 10.3%. The effect of carbon co-doping due to the growth under the CO-containing atmosphere at the optical and scintillation performance of the crystals is discussed.