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Scintillators, which can emit visible photons under γ- or X-ray excitation, are widely used in radiation detection. Traditional inorganic scintillators usually have some drawbacks, such as hygroscopicity or a high synthesis temperature, and most of them are poisonous. Hence, we report the synthesis of metal iodate scintillators (Eu(IO3)3 and Tb(IO3)3) by a facile hydrothermal reaction that exhibit good radioluminescence (RL) intensity. To further increase the RL intensities, we prepared Eu(IO3)3:xSm and Tb(IO3)3:xGd with stronger RL intensities and higher sensitivities than BaF2 and PbWO4 powders when x = 3%. Furthermore, we obtained scintillating films consisting of Eu(IO3)3:3%Sm and Tb(IO3)3:3%Gd for X-ray imaging. Our Eu(IO3)3:3%Sm and Tb(IO3)3:3%Gd films revealed excellent luminescence under high-energy X-ray excitation and spatial resolutions down to 9 lp mm−1 and 8 lp mm−1, respectively. Thus, these films can be regarded as candidate materials for X-ray imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current development direction of magneto-optical (MO) isolators involving miniaturisation and application in high-power lasers encounters difficulties in material application because preparing materials with excellent optical quality and a high Verdet constant remains a challenge. Herein, (Tb1−xCex)3Sc2Al3O12 (x = 0.001, 0.0025, 0.005, 0.01, 0.015, 0.02) MO ceramics with different doping concentrations were prepared by vacuum sintering. The phase structure, element distribution, microstructure, relative density, optical properties, surface properties and MO properties of the (Tb1−xCex)3Sc2Al3O12 ceramics were also characterised. Experimental characterisation reveals that the (Tb1−xCex)3Sc2Al3O12 ceramics have a pure Tb3Sc2Al3O12 (TSAG) phase and exhibit an excellent uniform element distribution. In addition, no secondary phase was detected in FESEM images with the increase in Ce concentration. However, a few small-sized residual pores, which remain entrapped in the Ce0.015TSAG and Ce0.02TSAG ceramics, can be observed. Moreover, all the obtained ceramics have good optical quality, and the in-line transmittances of the (Tb1−xCex)3Sc2Al3O12 ceramics at 1064 nm are 81.7%, 83.7%, 80.0%, 84.0%, 68.8% and 77.7%. The Verdet constant of the ceramics is optimised by Ce doping, and the Verdet constants of all the ceramics at the test wavelength are better than those of TSAG ceramic. The Verdet constant of the Ce0.01TSAG ceramic is still superior to that of the TSAG ceramic in the same temperature range. Finally, the extinction ratio values for the CexTSAG (x = 0.001, 0.0025, 0.005, 0.01) ceramics exceeded 40 dB. The Ce0.01TSAG ceramic shows the best optical transmittance, the highest magneto-optical FoM values and the highest Verdet constants. Thus, this ceramic can be used for a high-power laser in the visible and near-infrared regions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magneto-optical materials with high Verdet constants at high extinction ratios are desirable for the Faraday isolators. However, current terbium-based crystals have encountered several issues, such as low Verdet constants (TGG crystals), difficult growth (TSAG crystals), and low utilization of raw materials, which limit the development of the Faraday isolators. Here, R 0.0025 TSAG (R= Pr, Ho, Dy, Eu) transparent ceramics are prepared. The ceramics exhibit high optical transparency above 74.0% in the 525–1565 nm range and a high relative density of 98.9%. In particular, the transmittance of R 0.0025 TSAG ceramics at 1064 nm is approximately 81.6%, 81.6%, 79.8%, and 80.6%, respectively. The Verdet constants of R 0.0025 TSAG ceramics at the measurement wavelength are greater than those of the TSAG ceramic. The compelling magneto-optical performance of the Dy 0.0025 TSAG ceramic includes a high Verdet constant of 161.8 ± 3 rad·m−1·T−1 at 635 nm. The Verdet constant of the Dy 0.0025 TSAG ceramic is still superior to that of TSAG ceramic in the same temperature range. The extinction ratios of the R 0.0025 TSAG (R= Pr, Ho, Dy) ceramics exceed 40 dB. The figure of merit points out the superior characteristics of R 0.0025 TSAG ceramics. Moreover, R 0.0025 TSAG (R= Pr, Ho, Dy) ceramics with a thickness above the centimeter level are successfully prepared. This work indicates that the Dy 0.0025 TSAG ceramic can promote the miniaturization of magneto-optical isolators and can be applied in high-power lasers. • (Tb 0.9975 R 0.0025) 3 Sc 2 Al 3 O 12 (R= Pr, Ho, Dy, Eu) transparent ceramics were synthesized and characterized. • The Verdet constants of R-TSAG ceramics at the measurement wavelength are greater than that of TSAG ceramic. • The values of extinction ratio for R-TSAG (R= Pr, Ho, Dy) ceramics exceed 40 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scintillators play a vital role in high-energy physics, medical imaging, security inspection, etc. Here, we designed and prepared a highly efficient scintillator of Ce,Tb-codoped LiLuF 4 , which was synthesized by a hydrothermal method using low-cost raw materials. The microcrystalline scintillator exhibits the strong luminescence of rare earth ion, which has a characteristic green fluorescence emission with a quantum yield of 71.59%. This material has a strong X-ray response, superior light output (16,509 ph/MeV), excellent ray cut-off capability and absolute stability. Based on micron-level powdered compounds, we used direct coating to manufacture a scintillation film with a size of 5.5 cm × 8.0 cm for X-ray imaging testing. The imaging test shows that the highly stable scintillation film not only has a spatial resolution capability of more than 10.0 LP/mm but also has great potential to be prepared as a flexible scintillator, which exhibited excellent performance as an potential scintillation detection material. Tetragonal LLF:Ce,Tb MCs exhibit bright and sensitive radioluminescence with the energy transfer process between rare earth ions, and its composite film can provide a decent spatial resolution for X-ray imaging applications. [Display omitted] • Lu element was used instead of Y element to improve the scintillation property of the material. • Ce ion sensitizing Tb ion strategy was adopted to improve the radiation light output of the material. • A large area scintillation film with transmittance of 79.92% was successfully prepared by direct coating method. • The spatial resolution of the scintillation film for radiation detection is more than 10.0 LP/mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]