Optical characterization under irradiation of Ce3+ (Tb 3+)-doped phosphate scintillating glasses

Radiation hardness is one of the fundamental parameters characterizing a scintillator. The reason is that ionizing radiation often induces the formation of color centers in the irradiated material. These centers are related to lattice defects and may absorb light in the visible range. Possible overlap of the induced absorption spectrum with the emission spectrum of the scintillator can reduce the number of photons emitted by the scintillator, influencing negatively the energy resolution of the detector. In this paper, the irradiation (⁶⁰Co) induced absorption of Ce³⁺ (Tb³⁺) phosphate scintillating glasses is reported in the dose range 1-10 Gy. Irradiation tests were performed in the “Calliope” irradiation plant, placed in the Research Centre ENEA-Casaccia in the same dosimetric point (3.7 Gy/h), and the irradiation-induced damage was investigated by transmission measurements. Results are discussed by taking into account the possible dependence of radiation hardness on the composition of glass matrix