Enhancement mechanisms of luminescence and scintillation behaviors in Tb3+-doped silicoborate glass through Gd2O3 addition

In this study, effect of Gd₂O₃ on luminescence and scintillation behaviors of Tb³⁺ doped in silicoborate glass scintillator were investigated. Glasses were synthesized by standard melt quenching technique in the formula of xGd₂O₃ – (10–x)SrO – 20La₂O₃ – 10Ta₂O₅ – 10SiO₂ – 43B₂O₃ – 7Tb₂O₃, where x = 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0 mol%. The inclusion of Gd₂O₃ in the glass matrix results in a higher density and an increased effective atomic number, thereby enhancing the interaction of X-ray within the glass. Gd³⁺ ion also shows energy transfer to Tb³⁺ ion, which can be proofed by decay time and emission intensity analysis of Gd³⁺ emission. Photoluminescence (PL) result shows highest emission intensity at 6.0 % mol of Gd₂O₃ and, which corespond to fastest PL decay time of Gd³⁺ (ex = 275 nm, em = 311 nm), reflecting that highest energy transfer occurred at this concerentration. Scintillation light was observed through radioluminescence spectra investigation, with higher scintillation intensity associated with increased Gd₂O₃ concentration, reaching a maximum at 8.0 % mol of Gd₂O₃. The scintillation light is 30.84 % of BGO crystal. Scintillation decay profile was observed using pulse X-ray excitation and similar values in the range of millisecond with PL decay time were observed. The X-ray imaging was conducted using developed glass as a scintillator, which demonstrated superior spatial resolution (15.7 lp/mm) compared to the BGO crystal. This study indicates the potential of Gd³⁺ ions to enhance scintillation and X-ray imaging performance in glass scintillators.