Intense radioluminescence from transparent CsGd2F7: Ce3+ nano-glass scintillator

Nano-glasses are next-generation scintillators combining favorably the merits of both scintillator crystals and glasses. Here, a new nano-glass scintillator is prepared embedding CsGd2F7:Ce3+ nanocrystals (NCs). The microscopic morphology, particle size, and distribution of the NCs are studied by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Significantly enhanced radioluminescence efficiency is obtained in the nano-glasses. The largest integrable intensity of X-ray excited luminescence is 316% of the standard Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) crystal. A well-resolved full-energy peak with an energy resolution of 17.4% is registered for the 662 keV gamma rays, and the light yield is determined to be 827 ± 8 ph/MeV. The nano-glass scintillators exhibit good radiation hardness and thermal stability. As a proof of concept, an X-ray imaging system of a good resolution is built on the nano-glass scintillators.