Optical properties of a Nd-doped SrBr2 crystal grown by the Bridgman technique

• Published in: Journal of crystal growth Vol. 393; pp. 163 - 166
• Main Authors: Kurosawa, Shunsuke, Yokota, Yuui, Yanagida, Yoshio, Pejchal, Jan, Yamaji, Akihiro, Shoji, Yasuhiro, Kamada, Kei, Yoshikawa, Akira
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.05.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: A2. Bridgman technique; B1. Halides; B2. Scintillator materials; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Growth from melts; zone melting and refining; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of bulk materials and thin films; Other topics in nanoscale materials and structures; Physics; A2. Bridgman technique; B2. Scintillator materials; B1. Halides; XRD; Quantum yield; Halides; Neodymium additions; Optical properties; Humidity; Transparent material; Nanostructured materials; Bridgman method; Crystal growth from melts; Iodine
• ISSN: 0022-0248; 1873-5002
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2013.11.082

We have investigated the optical properties of 1mol% Nd-doped SrBr2 crystal grown by the Bridgman technique for an X-ray scintillator application. We succeeded in obtaining a transparent crystal, whose X-ray diffraction was measured under dry condition because of its hygroscopic nature. Roughly, we estimated that 90% of this crystal dissolved within 300min. under 25°C and 65–70% humidity. Under excitation by 270 and 400nm photons several emission peaks originating from 4F3/2 or 4Gi1→4Ii2 (i1=5/2 and 7/2 and i2=13/2, 11/2, and 9/2) transitions of Nd3+ were observed. 1mol% Nd:SrBr2 had a maximum quantum yield of approximately 45%. Additional emission peaks were observed under X-ray excitation. •Nd-doped SrBr2 crystal was grown by Bridgman technique.•The sample showed several emissions originating from Nd3+.•The maximum quantum yield of this sample was approximately 35%.