Radioluminescence properties of silicate-phosphate glass system based on “Huta Ginjang” quartz sand co-doped with Gd3+/Tb3+ ions for scintillation applications

Abstract

A series of mixed silicate-phosphate glasses co-doped with Gd3+/Tb3+ ions at varying Tb concentrations were successfully synthesized using the melt-quenching technique. Their physical, optical and luminescence properties were analyzed, with an emphasis on the role of Tb3+ concentration. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra exhibit characteristic emission bands corresponding to Gd3+ and Tb3+ ions. A gradual decrease in the Gd3+ emission intensity at 311 nm is observed, accompanied by the suppression of Tb3+ emissions originating from the 5D3 level. In contrast, a significant enhancement of the green emission associated with the Tb3+5D4 → 7Fj transitions is clearly evident. Under X-ray excitation, the radioluminescence (RL) spectra of the glasses displayed multiple sharp emission peaks corresponding to Tb3+ transitions, in contrast to the broad 478 nm emission band of the BGO crystal. Integral RL intensity ratios were demonstrated; all glasses exhibit significant radioluminescence intensity under X-Ray excitation compared to BGO, with QSPCaBaGd5Tb2.0 showing the highest performance reaches up to 52.09% in the 350-800 nm range. These results, together with X-ray imaging capability, demonstrate that the developed glasses are promising candidates for cost-effective scintillation applications.