Improving of LSO(Ce) Scintillator Properties by Co-Doping

The influence of the co-doping of cerium-doped lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO) with ytterbium on the output characteristics of this scintillator material were investigated by studying X-ray luminescence spectra, emission decay kinetics, afterglow level, Vickers indentation hardness, thermally stimulated luminescence, and radiation stability of luminescence parameters. It has been demonstrated that the optimal doping contents are ~ 0.1 mol.% and ~ 0.5 mol.% for cerium and ytterbium, respectively. A considerable increase in the radiation stability of light output, decrease in the afterglow level by more than two orders of magnitude and a 20% decrease in indentation hardness at the optimal concentration of Yb have been observed, however, at the expense of the light output.