Synthesis of Eu-doped (Gd,Y)2O3 transparent optical ceramic scintillator

Abstract

A novel process for transparent oxide ceramic scintillator with a composition of Gd1.94-x Yx Eu0.06O3 was developed. The process consists of a glycine–nitrate combustion synthesis of nano-sized starting powder and subsequent controlled sintering and annealing steps. The organic molecules remaining in the as-combusted powder were efficiently removed by the combined heat-treatment at vacuum and air atmospheres. Hot-pressed ceramic scintillators show transparent optical state and high light output. Transparent optical ceramic scintillator with a high content of Gd (up to 80 mol%) was fabricated by the process. The measured light output of Gd1.54Y0.4Eu0.06O3 ceramic scintillator was about two times higher that that of CdWO4 single crystal.