Deep trapping states in Cerium doped (Lu,Y,Gd)3(Ga,Al)5O12 single crystal scintillators

TL;DR

This study investigates deep trapping states in Ce3+-doped garnet crystals with high light yield, identifying Gd3Ga3Al2O12 as a host with minimal traps and low afterglow, using thermally stimulated luminescence techniques.

Contribution

It provides detailed analysis of trap states in doped garnet crystals and identifies a host composition with reduced trapping and afterglow properties.

Findings

Gd3Ga3Al2O12 host has the lowest trap concentration.

The host exhibits very low afterglow similar to BGO.

TSL analysis reveals trap depths and characteristics.

Abstract

We study deep trapping states in Ce3+-doped garnet crystals with the composition (Lu,Y,Gd)3(Ga,Al)5O12, recently shown as having remarkably high light yield. We use thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) technique above room temperature and determine the composition Gd3Ga3Al2O12 as the host showing the lowest concentration of traps. This host consistently manifest very low afterglow comparable to that of the standard BGO crystal. We also perform TSL glow peak analysis based on the initial rise technique to evaluate trap depth and other characteristics associated with TSL peaks.