A new fluorozirconate glass-ceramic X-ray storage phosphor

A new fluorozirconate glass-ceramic has been discovered that displays an X-ray storage phosphor effect with an efficiency of up to 8% of that observed in the established crystalline storage phosphor, BaFBr:Eu2+. The glass-ceramic is based on the well-known ZBLAN20 formulation, but the replacement of Na by Rb and Li, partial substitution of F by Br, as well as doping with Eu2+, results in the formation of RbBa2Br5:Eu2+ microcrystallites. XRD, photostimulated luminescence and EPR measurements on the as-made glass and the annealed glass-ceramic show that the X-ray storage phosphor effect arises from the RbBa2Br5:Eu2+ microcrystallites. 9 refs.