Ce3+ or Tb3+-doped phosphate and silicate scintillating glasses

Optical characterization of scintillating phosphate and silicates glasses is presented including absorption, emission spectra and decay kinetics. A new concept of energy transfer sensitization is developed, based on nearly resonant energy migration through a rare earth ion subsystem (Gd3+ ions at sufficiently high concentration) in the glass matrix, followed by a single-step transfer towards the emission centers created by Ce3+ or Tb3+ doping. While Ce3+ doping in phosphates results in emission spectra in the near UV-violet, the Tb3+ doping in silicates gives a four-band spectrum with a dominating one at 545 nm. Intense UV irradiation produces a reduction of emission intensity in phosphate glasses. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.