X-Ray and Ultraviolet Luminescence of Li3Ta1-xNbxO4 Prepared by Flux Synthesis and Characterization of a New High Efficiency X-Ray Phosphor

The phase development and luminescence properties, under both X-ray and ultraviolet excitation, of the lithium orthotantalate–lithium orthoniobate system, Li3Ta1-xNbxO4 for x=0 to 1, were examined. Using a flux synthesis technique, it was found that the levels of Nb-doping in monoclinic Li3TaO4 and of Ta-doping in cubic Li3NbO4 are higher than previously reported. Under 30 kVp molybdenum X-ray excitation, Li3Ta1-xNb4O4 is an efficient blue-emitting phosphor with broadband emission, peaking in the range of 390 to 435 nm. For x=0 to 0.1, the overall luminescence efficiency is comparable to, or better than, a commercial calcium tungstate, CaWO4, Hi-Plus material. The composition Li3Ta0.995Nb0.005O4 demonstrates an overall luminescence efficiency that makes this phosphor 45% brighter than CaWO4 Hi-Plus, thereby making it a potentially attractive candidate for use in medical diagnostic imaging systems. Under ultraviolet excitation, broadband blue emission is also observed. For all the Li3Ta1-xNbxO4 (x>0) solid solutions, the emission peak maximums agree well with those seen under X-ray excitation and are the result of Nb5+ emission.