Luminescence properties of Tb3+-activated K2O–La2O3–Ga2O3 glasses

Photoluminescence, scintillation, and thermoluminescence characteristics of the Tb3+-activated gallate glasses (20K2O–(11-x/2)La2O3–69Ga2O3–x/2Tb4O7, x = 0.1–1.0) were investigated. The Tb3+-activated gallate glasses exhibited photoluminescence with some peaks at approximately 490, 540, 595, and 625 nm that were attributable to the 4f→4f transition of Tb3+. These peaks also appeared under X-ray radiation, and the x = 1.0 gallate glass showed the highest intensity. Moreover, a broad thermoluminescence glow peak appeared at 90 °C, and the thermoluminescence peak intensity decreased with increasing the Tb concentration. A complimentary relation between the scintillation and thermoluminescence intensity was observed. •Luminescence properties of the Tb-doped gallate glasses were investigated.•The Tb-doped gallate glasses showed scintillation due to the 4f.→4f transitions of Tb3+.•A broad thermoluminescence glow peak appeared at 90 °C from the Tb-doped gallate glasses.