Photoluminescence and scintillation properties of Ce–doped Ca(Gd,Y)Al3O7 single crystals

Ce–doped Ca(Gd,Y)Al3O7 single crystals were synthesized by the optical floating zone method, and the photoluminescence and scintillation properties were evaluated. Photoluminescence and scintillation with a broad band around 420 nm are observed in all the samples. The decay curves are well–approximated by a sum of two exponential functions, which are due to the 5d–4f transition of Ce3+ and intrinsic luminescence in the host material. As a result of the pulse height spectra under γ–rays irradiation from 241Am, the CaYAl3O7 sample shows the highest scintillation light yield of 6500 ph/MeV among the present samples. •Ce-doped Ca(Gd,Y)Al3O7 single crystals were synthesized by the optical floating zone method.•Photoluminescence and scintillation with a broad band around 420 nm are observed in all the samples.•The CaYAl3O7 sample shows the highest scintillation light yield of 6500 ph/MeV among the present samples.