Characterization of Ce-doped RE₃Al₅O₁₂ (RE=Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb) single crystalline scintillators

Ce-doped RE₃Al₅O₁₂ (Ce:REAG, RE=Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb) single crystals were synthesized by the optical Floating Zone method. The transmittance is approximately 80% in all the samples, and absorptions by rare-earth ions were observed. Under X-ray irradiation, Ce:TbAG, Ce:DyAG, Ce:HoAG and Ce:TmAG exhibit scintillation signals with a broad emission band around 500–700 nm, which is attributable to the 5d–4f transitions of Ce³⁺. Several emission peaks due to F⁺ centers and 4f–4f transitions of trivalent rare-earth ions are also observed in some samples. In afterglow properties, Ce:Tb₃Al₅O₁₂ and Ce:Yb₃Al₅O₁₂ showed better afterglow levels than the other samples.