Flux growth and physical properties characterizations of Y1.866Eu0.134O3 and Lu1.56Gd0.41Eu0.03O3 single crystals

Y1.866Eu0.134O3 and Lu1.56Gd0.41Eu0.03O3 single crystals of the cubic rare-earth sesquioxide phase were grown for the first time by a new flux method, in air and at temperatures between 1250 and 1100°C. Magnetic susceptibility measurements performed in the former crystals suggest that a preferential dissolution of Eu3+ cations occurs on the C2-site. Transmission measurements established the promising optical quality of the samples, especially for Lu1.56Gd0.41Eu0.03O3 in the red spectral range where most of the scintillation light is emitted. The Lu1.56Gd0.41Eu0.03O3 single crystal, grown and tested for the first time, is an efficient X-ray scintillator and its characteristics seem promising for X-ray imaging with medium spatial resolution, in terms of light output and low afterglow. Emission and transmission spectra were measured and Eu3+ Judd-Ofelt analysis was performed in both crystals.