Investigation on Effects of Irradiation on the Scintillation Luminescence of Ultrafast Scintillation Crystal YAG∶Yb

doi:10.16553/j.cnki.issn1000-985x.2025.0181

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of gamma-ray irradiation from a ¹³⁷Cs source on the transmittance，photoelectron yield，and cathodoluminescence （CL） emission distribution characteristics of YAG∶Yb crystals with various Yb³⁺ doping concentrations （1.5%，15% and 50%，atomic fraction），as well as 15%Yb³⁺ co-doped with 0.05%Na⁺ and 0.05%Ba²⁺. The results show that the 15%Yb³⁺ doped sample exhibits the strongest radiation-induced absorption after gamma-ray irradiation，while its luminescence uniformity remained relatively stable. The normalized CL intensity shows an increase in the root-mean-square deviation to mean ratio （RMS/Mean） from 3.17% （370 nm） and 3.20% （475 nm） to 5.32% and 4.66%，respectively. In contrast，the 1.5%Yb³⁺ doped sample exhibits weaker radiation-induced absorption but significantly degrade emission uniformity，with the RMS/Mean value for the 370 nm emission increasing from 2.36% to 10.61%. Its photoelectron yield decrease by approximately 22.2%，and the energy resolution deteriorate from 62.0% to 116.6%. These results indicate that under low doping conditions，radiation-induced defects disrupt the spatial uniformity of luminescence，potentially obstructing energy transfer pathways and suppressing charge migration processes，thereby weakening the UV-visible emission. The 50%Yb³⁺ doped sample exhibits pronounced radiation-induced absorption and luminescence non-uniformity after irradiation. However，its photoelectron yield and energy resolution remained relatively stable，which may be attributed to partial compensation of radiation defect effects by structural distortion induced by the high doping concentration. The Na⁺/Ba²⁺ co-doped samples exhibits optimal performance in both radiation-induced absorption suppression and luminescence stability，suggesting that appropriate co-doping can inhibit defect formation and enhance the crystal’s radiation resistance. The comprehensive results demonstrate that the radiation resistance of YAG∶Yb crystals is influenced not only by radiation-induced defect absorption but also closely related to the regulation of luminescence uniformity by crystal defects.

Key words: YAG∶Yb crystal; radiation damage; cathodoluminescence; luminescence uniformity; doping effect; scintillation luminescence

CLC Number:

O77⁺4

PENG Chen, ZHANG Lu, PAN Mingyan, YAN Xinlong, JIA Yuzhen, WANG Ruichen, DUAN Weiheng, HE Weimin, YANG Weihu, SONG Baijun, CHENG Yao, FAN Xiaoyu, YANG Fan. Investigation on Effects of Irradiation on the Scintillation Luminescence of Ultrafast Scintillation Crystal YAG∶Yb[J]. Journal of Synthetic Crystals, 2026, 55(2): 191-200.

Figures/Tables 15

Fig.1 Transmittance spectra of YAG∶Yb crystals before and after irradiation

Fig.2 RIAC spectra of YAG∶Yb crystals after irradiation

Fig.3 Pulse height spectra of YAG∶Yb crystals before and after irradiation

Fig.4 RIAC versus the photoelectron yield loss of YAG∶Yb crystals after irradiation

Fig.5 Schematic diagram of CL Mapping measurement

Fig.6 Normalized CL spectra of YAG∶Yb crystals

Fig.7 CL Mapping data and intensity distribution of 370 and 475 nm emission peaks in YAG∶Yb crystals

Table 1 Relationship between Yb3+ concentration and luminescence intensity heterogeneity of 370 and 475 nm

Yb³⁺ content/%	370 nm luminescence intensity （RMS/Mean）/%	475 nm luminescence intensity （RMS/Mean）/%
1.5	2.36	3.85
15	3.17	3.20
50	4.75	4.34
15（+0.05%Na⁺+0.05%Ba²⁺）	5.39	6.87

Table 2 Average luminescence intensity ratio of 370 and 475 nm for YAG∶Yb crystals with different Yb3+ concentrations

Yb³⁺ content/%	Average 370/475 nm luminescence intensity ratio
1.5	1.34
15	1.29
50	1.30
15（+0.05%Na⁺+0.05%Ba²⁺）	1.30

Fig.8 Normalized CL spectra of YAG∶Yb crystals after irradiation

Fig.9 CL Mapping data and intensity distribution of 370 and 475 nm emission peaks in YAG∶Yb crystals after irradiation

Table 3 Relationship between Yb3+ concentration and luminescence intensity heterogeneity of 370 and 475 nm after irradiation

Yb³⁺ content/%	370 nm luminescence intensity （RMS/Mean）/%	475 nm luminescence intensity （RMS/Mean）/%
1.5	10.61	8.83
15	5.32	4.66
50	13.38	13.20
15（+0.05%Na⁺+0.05%Ba²⁺）	7.44	8.08

Table 4 Average luminescence intensity ratio of 370 and 475 nm for YAG∶Yb crystals with different Yb3+ concentrations after irradiation

Yb³⁺ content/%	Average 370/475 nm luminescence intensity ratio
1.5	1.33
15	1.24
50	1.31
15（+0.05%Na⁺+0.05%Ba²⁺）	1.29

Fig.10 Comparison of RMS/Mean values of luminescence intensity for YAG∶Yb crystals before and after irradiation

Fig.11 Comparison of average 370/475 nm luminescence intensity ratio of YAG∶Yb crystals before and after irradiation

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