Scintillation properties of Bi4(Ge1−xSix)3O12 single crystals grown by Czochralski method

• Published in: Journal of crystal growth Vol. 367; pp. 73 - 76
• Main Authors: Jiang, Hua, Rooh, Gul, Kim, H.J., Park, H., Kim, Sunghwan, Zhang, Wansong, Fawad, U.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.03.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: A1. Energy resolution; A1. X-rays; A2. Czochralski method; B2. Light yield; B3. Scintillation; BGO (crystal); Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Crack propagation; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Crystal growth; Czochralski method; Decay; Exact sciences and technology; Excitation; Growth from melts; zone melting and refining; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Photoluminescence; Physics; Scintillation; Single crystals; Theory and models of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth, crystal morphology and orientation; A1. Energy resolution; B3. Scintillation; B2. Light yield; A2. Czochralski method; A1. X-rays; Scintillations; Cesium 137; Transparency; Ge-Si alloys; Czochralski method; Bismuth germanates; Monocrystals; A 1. X-rays; Gamma radiation; Growth mechanism; Crystal growth from melts
• ISSN: 0022-0248; 1873-5002
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2012.12.145

Using the Czochralski method, Bi4(Ge1−xSix)3O12 (BGSO) (where x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9) single crystals with different ratios of Bi4Ge3O12 and Bi4Si3O12 are grown. Comparing with published results, this report covers wide range of BGSO with different mole ratios of BSO and BGO crystals. Scintillation properties of the BGSO with x=0.1 and 0.9mol ratios are presented. Problems during growth process such as non-transparency and cracks of this material are also presented. X-rays excitation of the grown samples showed emission spectra between 350nm and 700nm wavelength region. Under γ-rays excitation from a 137Cs source, energy resolutions of 19% and 29% (FWHM) are obtained for x=0.1 and 0.9, respectively. BGSO showed three decay time components under γ-ray excitation at room temperature. At x=0.1 highest light yield of 36% of BGO is found. ► Single crystals of Bi4(Ge1−xSix)3O12 (BGSO) are grown by Czochralski technique ► X-rays emission spectra is observed between 350 nm and 700 nm wavelength region. ► Best energy resolutions of 19% and 29% (FWHM) are obtained for x=0.1 and 0.9. ► Light yield increases as the value of x decreases from 0.9 to 0.1. ► We observed three decay time components for this scintillator.