Luminescence, scintillation, and energy transfer in SiO2-Al2O3-B2O3-Gd2O3:Ce3+,Pr3+ glasses.

Ce³⁺,Pr³⁺-codoped SiO₂-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-Gd₂O₃ glasses (SABG:Ce,Pr) were prepared by melt quenching under a CO reducing atmosphere. Luminescence properties were investigated under UV and X-ray excitations. A dominant emission band at 430 nm belonging to the Ce³⁺:5d₁ → 4f transition was observed in the photo- and radio-luminescence spectra. The energy transfer occurs from this Ce³⁺ band toward the ³P_J levels of Pr³⁺ with an efficiency of up to 24%, followed by the reduction of integrated luminescence intensity with an increasing Pr³⁺ concentration. This result is attributed to the increase in the reabsorption of Ce³⁺ luminescence and the non-radiative energy transfer toward the ³P_J levels of Pr³⁺. The cross-relaxation process within the Pr³⁺ pairs can further diminish the total luminescence yield at high Pr³⁺ concentrations. The integral scintillation efficiency and light yield measurements were carried out and compared to the reference Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ (BGO) crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]