Eu3+-activated heavy scintillating glasses

Eu3+-activated scintillating glasses with molar compositions of 35SiO2–15B2O3–30Ln2O3–20AlF3 (Ln = Y, La, Gd, Lu) have been prepared. The effects of Ln3+ ions on the density, transmission, photoluminescence and radioluminescence have been studied. The glasses have high density, ranging from 4.0 to 6.1 g/cm3 in the order of Y < La < Gd < Lu. Gd-containing glass exhibits a much higher light yield than the other glasses. The effect of complete substitution of fluorine by oxygen on the scintillation properties is also investigated.