Crystal growth and scintillation properties of Ce and Eu doped LiSrAlF6

Ce and Eu doped LiSrAlF6 (LiSAF) single crystals for the neutron detection with different dopant concentrations were grown by the micro-pulling-down method (μ-PD). In Ce:LiSAF, intense emission peaks due to Ce3+ 5d–4f transitions were observed at approximately 315 and 335 nm in photo- and α-ray induced radio-luminescence spectra. In case of Eu:LiSAFs, an intense emission peak at 375 nm due to Eu2+ 5d–4f transition was observed in the radio-luminescence spectra. The pulse height spectra and decay time profiles were measured under 252Cf neutron irradiation to examine the neutron response. The Ce 3% and Eu 2% doped LiSAF showed the highest light yield of 2860 ph/n with 19 ns main decay time component and 24,000 ph/n with 1610 ns.