Spectroscopic analysis of proton induced fluorescence from cerium doped yttrium aluminum garnet

Abstract

We have determined the effect of proton induced damage on relative scintillation efficiency for yttrium aluminum garnet doped with cerium (YAG:Ce). The YAG:Ce phosphor samples were exposed to a 3 MeV proton beam, and substrate temperature was limited to control heating damage. Real time in situ measurements of the fluorescence spectra permitted observation of the spectral characteristics of scintillator deterioration due to particle induced damage. Fluorescence from YAG:Ce is relatively dim when compared to other rare earth oxysulfide compounds and the light intensity drops rapidly with dose. Spectra from proton irradiated YAG:Ce exhibit a broad fluorescence peak that is much wider than is typical in other yttrium and gadolinium phosphor compounds. The physical processes in YAG:Ce are very different from other bright-line phosphors as shown by the large difference in the observed fluorescence peak width. Light intensity decreases with dose, following the Birks and Black empirical model.