Parametric study on the production of the GAGG:Ce and LSO:Ce multicomponent oxide scintillator materials through use of a planetary ball mill

Abstract

The material presented herein focuses on the exploration of the production of gadolinium aluminum gallium garnet and lutetium oxyorthosilicate doped with cerium (GAGG:Ce and LSO:Ce, respectively) through mechanochemical means. Multiple parameters are explored including mass of starting material, ball size, rotational speed of the mill, number of balls employed, and material used for the milling container. Theoretical calculations were conducted using a pre-established equation and showed that, when all other parameters were held constant, in scenarios where (1) a smaller mass of sample, (2) faster revolutions per minute, (3) greater numbers of balls, or (4) a greater density of the material used for the vials and balls were employed, there should be higher energies imparted to the system. Actual results executed appeared to exhibit somewhat congruent results, but showed limitations due to experimental (non-idealized) conditions.