A transparent YPO4:Eu2+ glass-ceramic scintillator for high-resolution X-ray imaging†

Abstract

Transparent glass-ceramic (GC) scintillators have received extensive attention in X-ray imaging because of their advantages such as low cost, simple synthesis, large-scale preparation and high light yield. In this study, transparent YPO₄:Eu²⁺ GC scintillators were prepared by melt quenching with further heat treatment. Through the growth of nanocrystals (NCs) within a glass matrix, the PL and scintillating properties of GC samples are significantly enhanced compared to those of precursor glass. The obtained YPO₄:Eu²⁺ GC (GC695) shows a relatively high transmittance, high external quantum efficiency, excellent integrated X-ray excited luminescence intensity (170% of that of Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂), outstanding dose-dependent capability and remarkable stability to X-ray irradiation. YPO₄:Eu²⁺ GC695 presents a notable spatial resolution (18 lp mm⁻¹) due to its high transmittance and excellent scintillating properties. These outcomes demonstrate the potential of YPO₄:Eu²⁺ GC as a scintillator in X-ray imaging.