Fabrication and 2D-mapping of Pr: Lu sub(3)Al sub(5)O sub(12) Scintillator Ceramics with High Light Yield and Fast Decay Time

PnLuAG ceramics were fabricated by a solid state reaction method using vacuum sintering with or without sintering aids (TEOS and MgO). The inline transmittance of the PnLuAG ceramics sintered with sintering aids reached ~80% in visible light range, while the ceramics without sintering aids were 5 times higher light output (1196 pe/MeV) and faster decay (73% fast decay component) although lower transmittance in visible light region (-70%, 2.0 mm thick) comparatively with the energy resolution of 8.4%. The PnLuAG cermics were cut and polished to 1.9 mmxl.9 mmx 1.0 mm pixels to form ceramics arrays, by using the 4x4 ceramics arrays, 2D mapping was accomplished. The position signals were clearly identified, which were better than that of commercial BGO (Bi sub(4)Ge sub(3)O sub(12 )) crystals. It is proved that PnLuAG ceramics is promising in PET (Positron Emission Tomography) imaging.