Temperature Dependence of the Ultraviolet Luminescence of Pr3+-Doped 20Al(PO3)3-80LiF Glass Scintillator

Abstract

The development of scintillator materials for scattered neutrons is essential in studying laser fusion experiments. We have previously investigated and proposed Pr3+-doped 20Al(PO3)3-80LiF (APLF + Pr) glasses as scintillators for neutron detection. The APLF + Pr glass emissions are then investigated with synchrotron radiation excitation and varying sample temperature. APLF + Pr glasses exhibit luminescence emissions located at 200 to 300 nm and 400 nm attributed to the 4f5d→4f2 and 4f2→4f2 (1S0→3Pj + 1I6) transitions, respectively. In addition, the 200 to 300-nm emission is not substantially affected by temperature, while the 400-nm emission intensities increase with decreasing sample temperature. This temperature dependence is attributed to cross relaxation whose effect can be controlled by the Pr-doping concentration. Our results suggest that doping concentration of APLF + Pr must be optimized and that APLF + Pr glasses must operate at low temperatures for better neutron detection.