Synthesis and scintillation characterization of nanocrystalline Lu 2O3(Eu) powder for high-resolution X-ray imaging detectors

Abstract

Lu2O3:Eu(CEu:5mol%) powder scintillators with nanocrystalline structures were successfully synthesized via a precipitation method and subsequent calcination treatment as a conversion material for X-ray imaging detectors. In this work, a homogeneous precipitation process was carried out using DEA(diethanolamine) as a precipitant to prepare nanocrystalline Eu-doped Gd2O3 powders. The microstructures, crystal structure and scintillation properties such as luminescent spectra, decay time and light intensity were measured as a function of calcination temperature in heat-treatment of the synthesized powder. The sample prepared at 1200°C calcination temperature showed the highest light intensity. And the scintillator showed a strong red emission light at near 611nm under photo- and X-ray luminescence for its potential X-ray imaging detector applications. © 2012 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab srl.