Fabrication and properties of Gd2O2S:Tb scintillation ceramics for the high-resolution neutron imaging

• Published in: Optical materials 2020-07, Vol.105, p.109909, Article 109909
• Main Authors: Pan, Hongming, Liu, Qiang, Chen, Xiaopu, Liu, Xin, Chen, Haohong, Xie, Tengfei, Wang, Wei, Shi, Yun, Jiang, Xingfen, Zhou, Jianrong, Sun, Zhijia, Nikl, Martin, Li, Jiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Fabrication; Gd2O2S:Tb ceramic; Neutron imaging; Scintillation properties
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2020.109909

Terbium doped gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS:Tb) ceramics were successfully fabricated by pre-sintering in vacuum and HIP post-treatment in Ar atmosphere. Ceramic densification in vacuum and HIP was discussed in the detail mainly by relative density and FESEM characterizations. The fabricated GOS:Tb ceramics were translucent with 0.5 mm thickness after HIP post-treatment. Optical and scintillation properties of GOS:Tb ceramics were also investigated. Temperature-dependent X-ray excited spectra were recorded using a homemade XEL spectrometer. Neutron scintillation light output was also measured in China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). The light output was measured to be about 284 photons per neutron with different thicknesses of GOS:Tb ceramics. •Highly dense GOS:Tb ceramics were prepared by vacuum sintering combined with HIP post-treatment.•The light output of GOS:Tb ceramic scintillator screen is increased by 23% compared with powder form.•The fabricated GOS:Tb ceramic is very promising for using as scintillator in neutron imaging technology.