Quasi‐1D Energy Transfer Enabling Tb2W3O12:Eu3+ Scintillator for Low‐Dose High‐Resolution X‐Ray Imaging

Abstract A primary challenge in inorganic scintillators development is maximizing the X‐ray energy conversion efficiency. Conventional low‐doping strategies in rare‐earth systems mitigate concentration quenching but result in inefficient host‐to‐activator energy transfer, leading to significant energy losses. To overcome this, a novel rare‐earth matrix design is proposed: using Tb 3+ ions as the host lattice and incorporating energy‐matched Eu 3+ ions as activators. This design enabled highly efficient energy transfer from the host to the luminescent centers. Experiments confirmed that quasi‐1D Tb 3+ chains (intra‐chain distance: 3.92 Å, inter‐chain distance: 5.92 Å) enabled Dexter‐type energy transfer (Tb 3+ : 5 D 4 → Eu 3+ : 5 D 1 / 5 D 2 ), achieving near‐unity energy transfer efficiency. The optimized Tb 1.8 W 3 O 12 :0.2Eu 3+ @PMMA film exhibited an X‐ray light yield of 25 000 photons·MeV −1 at 22 keV, a spatial resolution of 14 lp mm −1 , and an ultra‐low detection limit (14.1 nGy air s −1 ). High‐resolution radiography of biological specimens validated imaging capability at the 0.1 mm scale. This work established a paradigm for designing high‐sensitivity scintillators through quasi‐1D energy transfer, advancing low‐dose X‐ray imaging applications in medical diagnostics and industrial inspection.