Fabrication and 2D-mapping of Pr: Lu3Al5O12 Scintillator Ceramics with High Light Yield and Fast Decay Time

Pr:LuAG ceramics were fabricated by a solid state reaction method using vacuum sintering with or without sintering aids (TEOS and MgO). The inline transmittance of the Pr:LuAG ceramics sintered with sintering aids reached similar to 80% in visible light range, while the ceramics without sintering aids were 5 times higher light output (1196 pe/MeV) and faster decay (73% fast decay component) although lower transmittance in visible light region (similar to 70%, 2.0 mm thick) comparatively with the energy resolution of 8.4%. The Pr:LuAG cermics were cut and polished to 1.9 mm x1.9 mm x 1.0 mm pixels to form ceramics arrays, by using the 4x4 ceramics arrays, 2D mapping was accomplished. The position signals were clearly identified, which were better than that of commercial BGO (Bi4Ge3O12) crystals. It is proved that Pr:LuAG ceramics is promising in PET (Positron Emission Tomography) imaging.