Crystal growth and characterization of LuAG:Ce:Tb scintillator

To investigate the possibility of Tb(3+) -> Ce(3+) energy transfer, we grew single crystals of Lu(3)Al(5)O(12):Ce codoped with Tb(3+) using both the micro-pulling-down method and the conventional Czochralski technique. Compositional and phase homogeneity, growth defects, and crystallographic properties were studied. Visible non-uniformity of dopants distribution in the radial direction was observed in the micro-pulling-down grown crystals. Underlying luminescence processes were evaluated by measuring luminescence properties under photo-, X- and gamma-rays excitation at room temperature. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.