Effect of Tb 3+ concentration and sensitization of Ce 3+ on luminescence properties of terbium doped phosphate scintillating glass

Abstract

Phosphate glasses doped with different concentrations of Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ were prepared by high temperature melting method. Effects of Tb 3+ concentration and sensitization of Ce 3+ on photoluminescence and radio-luminescence properties of terbium doped phosphate glass have been investigated by absorption, excitation and emission spectroscopy. Results showed the phosphate glass exhibit high broad absorption band attribute to the allowed 4f 8–4f 75d transition of Tb 3+, which is beneficial for the 542 nm emission of Tb 3+. It is found that the emission intensity of Tb 3+ at 542 nm increased as the concentration of Tb 3+ and Ce 3+increasing. The suitable concentration of Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ in phosphate glass is 2 mol% and 10 mol% respectively, and the emission intensity of Ce 3+/Tb 3+-codoped phosphate glass at 542 nm shows 8 times stronger than that of the commercial Bi 4Ge 3O 12 (BGO) crystal at 500 nm. The phosphate glass doped with Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ ions would be potential candidates for scintillating material for static X-ray imaging.