Growth and luminescence characteristics of Pr3+-doped Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3 single crystal

Abstract Transparent Pr3+-doped Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3 crystal has been grown by Czochralski method. The crystal structure is confirmed to be hexagonal with space group R 3 ¯ c checked by XRD measurement. The optical transmission spectra (absorption spectra), photoluminescence emission and excitation spectra, fluorescence decay time and the X-ray excited luminescence spectra of the crystal are measured at room temperature. The cut-off edge of this material locates at round 250 nm and there is a broad absorption in the region from 250–500 nm. The photoluminescence emission spectrum is dominated by fast 5d4f1 → 4f2 band peaking at 303 nm having 11.9 ns decay time. The measurement results show that the Pr3+-doped Lu0.8Sc0.2BO3 crystal, due to high density, fast decay time, high scintillation efficiency and non-hygroscopic property, could be a promising scintillator.