Effect of Gd substitution on structure and spectroscopic properties of (Lu,Gd)2O3:Eu ceramic scintillator

In this paper, (Lu_1-xGd_x)₂O₃:Eu (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9) ceramics were consolidated by the solid-state reaction method combined with vacuum sintering without sintering aids. We investigated the effect of the varying contents of Gd₂O₃ on the structure and spectroscopic properties of (Lu_1-xGd_x)₂O₃:Eu ceramics. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate that proper amount of Gd₂O₃ can incorporate well with Lu₂O₃ and form Lu₂O₃-Gd₂O₃ solid solution. However, excessive Gd³⁺-doping in Lu₂O₃ will lead to the cubic phase transforming into monoclinic even hexagonal phase. The Gd³⁺ substitution no more than 50% of Lu₂O₃ enhances the radioluminescence, and reduces the fluorescence lifetime. Transmittance, photoluminescence, and radiation damage of the (Lu_1-xGd_x)₂O₃:Eu scintillation ceramics were also studied.