Cerium concentration and temperature dependence of the luminescence of Lu2Si2O7:Ce scintillator

Research highlights: → In this study, we investigate the cerium doping concentration and temperature dependence the luminescence of Lu2Si2O7:Ce. → We examine the absorption, photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra, decay time curves under different temperatures and cerium doping concentrations. → Self absorption increases as the increase of cerium doping concentration and temperature. → PLE curves are influenced by the both cerium doping concentrations and sample thickness. - Abstract: The crystals of (Lu1-xCex)2Si2O7 (LPS) (x = 0.003, 0.005, 0.0075, 0.01 and 0.013) are grown by Czochralski (Cz) method. The scintillation and optical properties of these LPS:Ce crystals were studied and compared systematically, mainly focused on the absorption, photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) and decay time. It is found that the self absorption of LPS:Ce is increased as the cerium doping concentration increases; the PLE curves of LPS:Ce samples are influenced by the both cerium doping concentrations and sample thickness. Specially, thicker and higher cerium doped LPS:Ce, i.e. the stronger self absorption, will lead to incomplete PLE curves. The temperature dependence of luminescence of LPS:0.3%Ce, including the decay time, PLE and PL properties, is investigated.