Crystal growth and scintillation properties of YAG:Ce3+ for γ and α detection

Abstract

A bulk single crystal of yttrium aluminum garnet (Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺, YAG:Ce³⁺) with good optical quality and free of cracks has been grown successfully by the Kyropoulos method. The dimension of the as grown crystal boule was Ø 20 × 30 cm³. The cut and polished crystal sample of dimensions 1 × 1 × 0.5 cm³ was used for further measurements. The phase purity was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction pattern analysis. The scintillation properties, such as X-ray emission spectrum, pulse height spectra, energy resolution, and scintillation decay time, were investigated using a ¹³⁷Cs γ-ray source. The recorded X-ray emission spectrum shows a broad band between 500 and 700 nm with a peak at around 540 nm, which is attributed to the 5d-4f transition of the Ce³⁺ ion. The pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) of α and γ signals in a YAG:Ce³⁺ crystal has been studied by using different pulse shapes. The grown YAG:Ce³⁺ crystal which is non-hygroscopic, chemically inert, fast inorganic scintillator could be used for radiation detection application in nuclear, and high energy physics.

Keywords: Kyropoulos method; Pulse shape discrimination; Radiation detector; YAG:Ce(3+) crystal.