Tb3+ doped Na2O-CaO-Al2O3-B2O3 scintillating glass: calibration material for luminescence spectrometers and X-ray imaging application

This study reports the synthesis and detailed characterization of Tb³⁺ doped sodium aluminum calcium borate (TbACNB) glasses, developed via melt-quenching, with the aim of establishing reliable luminescent calibration standards and X-ray imaging scintillators. A systematic investigation of photoluminescence, radioluminescence, proton-induced luminescence, and cathodoluminescence confirms a dominant and stable green emission centered at 546 nm, corresponding to the ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ ions. Among all tested concentrations, the 6 mol% Tb₂O₃ doped glass exhibits the highest photoluminescence quantum yield of 25.67 %, optimal decay lifetime, and consistent emission peak positions across all excitation methods, indicating structural and spectral stability. Proton and X-ray irradiation studies demonstrate linear dose response behavior and high spatial resolution up to 10 lp/mm, validating the glass applicability for high-resolution X-ray imaging. The glass retains uniform luminescence and color stability, with CIE coordinates at (0.31, 0.60), confirming its potential as a fluorescence calibration reference. The novelty of this work lies in demonstrating multi-stimulus luminescence consistency, dose dependent response, and X-ray imaging, positioning 6TbACNB as a dual purpose material for optical calibration and X-ray imaging systems.