Ho 3+ codoping of GGAG:Ce: a detailed analysis of acceleration of scintillation response and scintillation efficiency loss.

In this study, we investigate the effects of Ho ³⁺ codoping on the luminescence and scintillation properties of GGAG:Ce, with a particular focus on timing properties and scintillator efficiency. The research reveals that Ho ³⁺ codoping and subsequent resonant energy transfer from Ce ³⁺ to Ho ³⁺ can significantly reduce the 5d ₁ excited state decay time of Ce ³⁺ and shorten scintillation pulses of GGAG:Ce registered by using photomultipliers, although this reduces scintillator efficiency as well. The study presents a detailed analysis of the loss of scintillator efficiency due to Ho ³⁺ codoping, identifying the most significant loss pathways and estimating their impact. The findings suggest that Ho ³⁺ codoping is an effective method for accelerating the scintillation response of GGAG:Ce. Furthermore, the study presents a high level of consistency of the Ce ³⁺ kinetics with the Inokuti-Hirayama model and with results obtained in the previous studies on similar systems, demonstrating the predictability of the effect of RE ³⁺ codoping on scintillator properties.
Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare.
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