Effect of thermal annealing in air on scintillation properties of LuAG and LuAG:Pr

Pure and Pr-activated Lu3Al5O12 (LuAG) crystals have been grown by the Czochralski method. In order to improve the scintillation properties, several samples have been annealed in air. Various annealing temperatures and periods of time have been tested to determine optimal conditions in the way of scintillation yield and energy resolution enhancement. The largest increase of yield of LuAG:Pr (17%), accompanied by a distinct decrease of resolution, has been observed after annealing at 1100A degrees C for 48 h. On the contrary, in case of undoped LuAG no significant changes following thermal annealing have been noticed.