Temperature dependence of scintillation properties and pulse shape discrimination between γ - and α -rays in Gd 3 Al 2 Ga 3 O12:Ce scintillator

The light yield (LY) and decay kinetics of a single crystal scintillator of Gd${}_3$Al${}_2$Ga${}_3$O₁₂(GAGG):Ce were measured for 0.662 MeV $\gamma$- and 5.48 MeV $\alpha$-rays between −100 °C and room temperature. As the temperature decreased, the LY increased by 20% for $\gamma$-rays, reaching its maximum at around −70 °C, and increased monotonously by 50% for $\alpha$-rays. Both the rise and decay times increased gradually. Furthermore, the results indicate that pulse shape discrimination is most effective at room temperature.