Growth of LGSO: Ce crystals by the Czochralski method

Single crystals of Lu 2 x Gd 2 − 2 x SiO 5 : Ce (0 < x < 1) compounds with different atomic ratios Lu/(Lu + Gd) have been grown by the Czochralski method. It has been shown that a change in the spatial symmetry from P 2 1 / c to C 2/ c in the course of substitution of lutetium for gadolinium occurs at the ratio Lu/(Lu + Gd) = 0.1. The lattice thus formed with symmetry C 2/ c in the structure of Lu 2 x Gd 2 − 2 x SiO 5 : Ce crystals favors the maximum possible incorporation of Ce 3+ ions into the sevenfold-coordinated position with respect to oxygen. This explains the substantial improvement of the scintillation characteristics of the grown crystals.