Scintillation characteristics of transparent Eu2O3–BaO–TeO2 glass-ceramics

Tellurite glass (TeG) and its glass-ceramics (TeGC435 and TeGC455), with a composition of 10Eu2O3–10BaO–80TeO2, were prepared and their luminescence properties were evaluated. TeG was prepared via the melt quenching technique, while TeGC435 and TeGC455 were fabricated by heat treating TeG at 435 and 455 °C, respectively, for 5 h each. The Eu2Te6O15 crystal phase was formed in TeGC435 and TeGC455. Both the glass and glass-ceramics showed sharp photoluminescence and scintillation peaks, attributed to the 4f→4f transitions of Eu3+. The highest quantum yield was obtained for TeG, whereas the highest integrated scintillation intensity was obtained for TeGC455. The scintillation intensity of TeGC455 was approximately 10% of that of the Bi4Ge3O12 single crystal. Furthermore, typical decay times derived from the 4f→4f transitions were obtained for TeG, TeGC435, and TeGC455 during photoluminescence and scintillation.