Photoluminescence and scintillation properties of Tb:GdTaO4 crystals

Abstract

Tb-doped GdTaO4 crystals were synthesized to investigate their photoluminescence and scintillation properties. Tb:GdTaO4 exhibits photo- and radioluminescence characterized by several sharp peaks due to 4f–4f transitions of Tb3+. The photo- and radioluminescence decay time constants are 500–900 μs. The values become short with increasing Tb concentration and are typical for the 4f–4f transitions of Tb3+. From the quantum yield (QY), radioluminescence spectra, and pulse height under 137Cs γ-rays, the 1% Tb:GdTaO4 crystal shows the highest scintillation output among the samples.