Synthesis and scintillation properties of Ce-doped CaHfO3 crystals

Abstract

Ce-doped CaHfO3 crystals were synthesized by the floating zone method, and the photoluminescence and scintillation properties were evaluated. The crystals exhibit photoluminescence peaking at 440 nm, and the decay time constants are typical value due to the 5d–4f transition of Ce3+. The X-ray-induced scintillation decay time curves indicate short decay time constant around 15–35 ns. From the pulse height spectra under 57Co (122 keV) gamma-ray irradiation, the scintillation light yields are estimated; and, the 0.3% Ce-doped sample shows the highest light yield of approximately 8100 ph/MeV among the samples. The light yield is comparable with that of Bi4Ge3O12 and MHfO3 (M = Ba, Sr or Ca) which is a scintillator with high density.