Crystal growth and scintillation properties of YAG:Ce3+ for γ and α detection

A bulk single crystal of yttrium aluminum garnet (Y3Al5O12:Ce3+, YAG:Ce3+) with good optical quality and free of cracks has been grown successfully by the Kyropoulos method. The dimension of the as grown crystal boule was Ø 20 × 30 cm3. The cut and polished crystal sample of dimensions 1 × 1 × 0.5 cm3 was used for further measurements. The phase purity was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction pattern analysis. The scintillation properties, such as X-ray emission spectrum, pulse height spectra, energy resolution, and scintillation decay time, were investigated using a 137Cs γ-ray source. The recorded X-ray emission spectrum shows a broad band between 500 and 700 nm with a peak at around 540 nm, which is attributed to the 5d-4f transition of the Ce3+ ion. The pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) of α and γ signals in a YAG:Ce3+ crystal has been studied by using different pulse shapes. The grown YAG:Ce3+ crystal which is non-hygroscopic, chemically inert, fast inorganic scintillator could be used for radiation detection application in nuclear, and high energy physics. •Crystal growth and scintillation characterization of YAG:Ce crystal are presented.•This material is grown by Kyropoulos technique.•Energy resolution of 14% and light yield of 20,800 ± 4000 ph/MeV are obtained.•The YAG:Ce crystal can be separated the α and γ signal using different pulse shapes.•The quenching factor is 0.15, which means that 85% of the light was quenched.