Radiation-induced luminescence properties of BaCl2:Eu transparent ceramics fabricated by spark plasma sintering method

Abstract

BaCl2:Eu transparent ceramics were synthesized by the spark plasma sintering method, and concentration dependence of Eu on optical and scintillation properties was investigated. BaCl2:Eu transparent ceramics showed photoluminescence (PL) and scintillation peaks at 400 nm due to 5d–4f transition of Eu2+. The PL and scintillation decay time constants of BaCl2:Eu transparent ceramics were ∼400 ns. The PL quantum yields (QYs) of 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1% BaCl2:Eu transparent ceramics were 28.5, 25.6, 16.2, and 13.9%, respectively. The afterglow levels of BaCl2:Eu transparent ceramics were lower than CsI:Tl single crystal in practical use. The scintillation light yield of the 0.5% doped BaCl2:Eu transparent ceramic was 9800 photons/MeV when γ-rays by 137Cs were irradiated.