Spectral efficiency of lutetium aluminum garnet (Lu3Al5O12:Ce) with microelectronic optical sensors. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Michail, C.; Ninos, K.; Kalyvas, N.; Bakas, A.; Saatsakis, G.; Fountos, G.; Sianoudis, I.; Panayiotakis, G.; Kandarakis, I.; Valais, I.
• Is Part Of: Microelectronics and reliability. Volume 109(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Inorganic scintillators -- Single crystals -- Radiation detectors -- Lu3Al5O12:Ce -- (Lu, Gd)2SiO5:Ce -- Lu2SiO5:Ce; Electronic apparatus and appliances -- Reliability -- Periodicals; Miniature electronic equipment -- Periodicals; Appareils électroniques -- Fiabilité -- Périodiques; Équipement électronique miniaturisé -- Périodiques; Electronic apparatus and appliances -- Reliability; Miniature electronic equipment; Periodicals; 621.3815
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microrel.2020.113658
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0026-2714

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of the present work was to investigate the absolute luminescence efficiency (AE) of a lutetium aluminum Lu3 Al5 O12 :Ce (LuAG:Ce) garnet, doped with cerium, combined with various microelectronic optical sensors. Two LuAG:Ce samples, with dimensions of 5 × 5 × 10 and 10 × 10 × 10 mm 3 were examined. The light emitted by the crystals, was evaluated by performing measurements of the AE using X-rays from 50 to 130 kV. The spectral compatibility of the LuAG:Ce crystal, with various existing optical detectors, was investigated after emission spectra measurements. Results were compared with previously published data for commercially available lutetium based and cerium doped crystals, such as, (Lu, Gd)2 SiO5 :Ce and Lu2 SiO5 :Ce, frequently used in medical imaging applications. Absolute efficiency was found maximum at 130 kVp for the 5 × 5 × 10 mm 3 LuAG:Ce crystal (31.86 efficiency units-E.U). AE of the 10 × 10 × 10 mm 3 LuAG:Ce crystal was found higher than both LGSO:Ce and LSO:Ce crystals (of equal dimensions). The emission spectrum of LuAG:Ce is excellent matched with the spectral sensitivities of photocathodes, charge coupled devices (CCD), non-passivated amorphous hydrogenated silicon photodiodes (a-Si:H) and complementary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS) microelectronic devices employed in radiation detection. Considering the higher luminescence efficiency values than currently used crystals and the spectral compatibility with the various photodetectors, LuAG:Ce single crystal could be considered for use in imaging detectors, such as, PET/CT scanners. Highlights: Two LuAG:Ce single crystals were examined under radiographic X-ray energies. Comparisons with LGSO:Ce and LSO:Ce crystals were performed. AE was found maximum at 130 kVp for the 5 × 5 × 10 LuAG:Ce crystal (31.86 EU). LuAG:Ce single crystal could be considered for use in combined medical imaging detectors.