The use of Tb activator and Gd sensitizer in silicate glass and glass-ceramics to increase the luminescence response of samples excited by high-energy radiation

In this work, Lithium-Aluminum-Silicate (LAS) scintillator glass as a host for Tb activator, was prepared in order to reach the visible emission by UV, Gamma, X-Ray and charged particles excitation. The glass was made from 31 wt% LaF3, 12.3 wt% Li2O, 8.7 wt% Al2O3, 48 wt% SiO2. The forming methods were melting and casting. The Photo Luminescence spectra (PL) of the samples at 259 and 325nm wavelenghts were obtained. The absorption spectrum of the Tb bearing system showed peaks at 325, 436, 460, 490, 545, 414nm, corresponding to Tb energy levels, but in the case of Gd bearing system, because of the optical effects of light-activated factors such as the stacking fault in the glass, the energy transfers below 300nm were weakened. The energy transfer from Gd to Tb was not observed. Compared to the glass system, the PL emission of the glass ceramic increased significantly (80%). The samples’ PL response to beta, X-rays, and neutron, were also evaluated. It was shown that both glass and glass-ceramic have acceptable responses to X-rays and beta radiation. The glass-ceramic sensitivity was higher than that of sheer glass; also it was shown that the noutron response of the samples was negligible, presumably because of the lack of reached Li in our glass used.