Investigation of radiation-induced luminescence properties of high-density barium phosphate glasses doped with Ce3

The Ce3+ doped barium-zinc-gadolinium-phosphate glass samples with composition 20BaCO3-10ZnO-8Gd2O3-(62- x)P2O5-x CeBr3 (where x=0.15,0.25,0.5, and 0.75 mol.%) were fabricated by employing melt-quenching traditional method. The PXRD studies were performed to verify the amorphous form of the fabricated glasses. FE-SEM was utilised to check the particle size and shape of prepared samples. The measurements of EDS were employed to find out the elements available in the glasses. Wideband emission was observed in the 300–400 nm range in the obtained spectra under X-ray and UV–VIS excitations, revealing a 5d-4f transition of Ce3+-ions. The detected excitation bands found broad for prepared glasses include 4f electronic energy level transitions belonging to Gd3+ and the 5d electronic energy levels belonging to the Ce3+ excitation energy band situated at 308 nm. The scintillation property was investigated with α-particles and γ-rays excitations using 241Am and 137Cs, 22Na radiation sources, respectively. The lifetime of the prepared glass samples was studied under 286 nm UV excitation and found 28.94 ± 0.12 ns as a short component and 166.47 ± 23.44 ns long component with 85 % and 15 % contributions, respectively for PBZG-0.25Ce glass sample. The synthesised PBZG glass series was characterized by (a) X-ray induced luminescence, (b) Photoluminescence, (c) Pulse height spectrum identifying α -peak under 5.5 MeV source, (d) Lifetime estimation from PL decay plots. [Display omitted] •Successfully fabricated glasses of 20BaCO3:10ZnO:8Gd2O3: (62- x)P2O5: x CeBr3.•The XRL spectra shows a broad emission in 290–400 nm, indicating 5d-4f transition.•PL emission band was observed between 315 and 420 nm, peaking at 347 nm.•Scintillation studies showed the capability of the sample glass to detect radiation.•Estimated short component of lifetime was found 28.94 ± 0.12 ns (85 %) as maximum.