Effects of Zr4+ codoping on the Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3:Ce scintillation materials

Both Zr-codoped Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3:Ce polycrystalline powders and single crystals were obtained by solid-state reaction and Czochralski method, respectively. The effects of Zr codoping on the optical absorption, Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio, scintillation efficiency, decay time and point defect in Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3:Ce materials were examined systematically. Our results show that there is no positive contribution of Zr4+ ion codoping to the scintillation efficiency. And the reasons for the deterioration of scintillation efficiency by codoping Zr4+ were revealed. - Highlights: ► No positive contribution of the Zr4+ ions on the scintillation efficiency was found. ► New optical absorption band was in the region from 200 to 225 nm. ► Continuously accelerated decay time indicated that Zr4+ codoping induced new point defects. ► The induced hole trap located at 1.91 eV below the conduction band.