LuAG:Ce and LuYAG:Ce scintillation crystals grown under reducing conditions from W crucibles

The paper addresses cost-efficient methods of crystal growth from W crucibles in the reducing Ar + CO atmosphere. Lu3Al5O12 (LuAG:Ce) and (Lu1-xYx)3Al5O12 (LuYAG:Ce) scintillating crystals were grown by the Czochralski technique. The impact of Ce concentration on optical and scintillation properties of LuAG:Ce crystal was evaluated, as well as the optimal Lu/Y ratio in LuYAG:Ce was selected. The optical and scintillation properties of the grown crystals were investigated. The light yield in the mixed crystals reached 28,000 phot/MeV, while the energy resolution at 662 keV amounted to 10.3%. The effect of carbon co-doping due to the growth under the CO-containing atmosphere at the optical and scintillation performance of the crystals is discussed.