Correlation between luminescence of cerium and chemical compositions in lithium silicate-based glasses

Abstract

In contrast to conventional photoluminescence, the radiation-induced luminescence of glasses is difficult to understand because of the complex energy transfer system. In this study, we examined the optical and luminescent properties of Ce 3+ in lithium silicate-based glasses prepared in air. The Ce 3+ ratio in the glasses decreased with increasing Ce concentration, which is the opposite of the trend previously observed for Al 2 O 3 –P 2 O 5 glasses. The 33.3Li 2 O-66.7SiO 2 (LS) glass, which is the stoichiometric chemical composition of Li 2 Si 2 O 5 crystal, exhibited higher photoluminescence intensity, quantum yield (QY), X-ray-induced scintillation intensity, and storage luminescence than 34Li 2 O–5MgO–10Al 2 O 3 –51SiO 2 (GS10) glass. The pulse height spectra obtained by 252 Cf irradiation also suggested that a higher light yield was observed in the LS glasses compared with GS10 glasses. The 0.5 mol% Ce-doped LS glass exhibited the highest light yield 493.7 ph/n among these glasses despite the low QY value. It is found that additional factors correlate with the light yield by 252 Cf irradiation in addition to the QY and Ce 3+ concentrations. • We have prepared Ce 3+ in lithium silicate-based glasses containing different Ce concentrations. • The quantum yield (QY) depends on both the chemical composition and the Ce 3+ ratio. • 33.3Li 2 O-66.7SiO 2 (LS) glass exhibited photoluminescence intensity and quantum yield higher than MgO–Al 2 O 3 substituted glass. • The 0.5 mol% Ce-doped LS glass exhibited the highest light yield 493.7 ph/n despite the low QY value.