Tailoring and Optimization of LuAG:Ce Epitaxial Film Scintillation Properties by Mg Co-Doping

Six Mg co-doped Lu 3 Al 5 O 12:Ce scintillating films were prepared by a liquid phase epitaxy method, having Mg concentration of 0–3000 ppm. The following luminescence and scintillation characteristics and their dependence on Mg concentration were studied: photoluminescence emission and excitation spectra, radioluminescence spectra, photoluminescence and scintillation decay curves, light yield, energy resolution, and afterglow. Light yield increases with Mg concentration until 700 ppm and becomes 15–20% higher than in the Mg-free sample. Further increase of Mg concentration leads to light yield decrease. Scintillation decay is getting faster with an increasing Mg concentration and the afterglow is significantly reduced. The results are compared to ceramics and crystals of very similar compositions.