Scintillation response of Y3Al5O12:Pr3+ single crystal scintillators

In this paper we present the photoluminescence (PL) and scintillation response of Pi(3+)-doped Y3Al5O12 (YAG:Pr) single crystals grown by the Czochralski method with different Pi(3+) concentrations of 0.16, 0.33, and 0.65 mol%. PL spectra and decay curves were measured for both the fast 5d -> 4f and slow 4f -> 4f emissions. The PL decay times were evaluated which evidence concentration quenching especially in D-1(2) -> H-3(4) emission for the highest Pi(3+) concentration. Light yield (LY) of 15,600 photons per MeV and energy resolution of 6.4% at 662 key gamma-rays were obtained with the YAG:Pr (0.33%) crystal. The LY non-proportionality and energy resolution versus gamma-ray energy were measured and the intrinsic resolution was calculated. A good proportionality of the LY was found within 7% over the energy range from 1274.5 keV down to 32 key. The estimated photofraction in the pulse height spectra of 320 and 662 keV gamma-rays was also determined and compared with the theoretical one calculated using WinXCom program. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.