Fabrication of ceramic scintillators by laser sintering: the case of Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Pr

The fabrication of ceramic scintillators by laser sintering is briefly reviewed and current limitations discussed. The experimental work focused on the fabrication and characterization of undoped and Pr-doped Lu3Al5O12 (LuAG). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure of the sintered ceramics, with XRD results suggesting the absence of residual thermal stresses. Collectively, Raman results suggested the incorporation of Pr to affect the structure and its dynamics. Broadening the peaks of the ceramics in relation to those from the single crystal revealed the presence of structural disorder. Scanning electron microscopy revealed intergrain porosity thus explaining the lack of optical transparency. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) measurements showed Pr to be homogeneously distributed. Radioluminescence measurements under X-ray excitation as a function of the temperature were used to investigate intrinsic defects of the host, including anti-sites and F-type defects.