Ho3+ codoping of GGAG:Ce: a detailed analysis of acceleration of scintillation response and scintillation efficiency loss

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the effects of Ho³⁺ codoping on the luminescence and scintillation properties of GGAG:Ce, with a particular focus on timing properties and scintillator efficiency. The research reveals that Ho³⁺ codoping and subsequent resonant energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Ho³⁺ can significantly reduce the 5d₁ excited state decay time of Ce³⁺ and shorten scintillation pulses of GGAG:Ce registered by using photomultipliers, although this reduces scintillator efficiency as well. The study presents a detailed analysis of the loss of scintillator efficiency due to Ho³⁺ codoping, identifying the most significant loss pathways and estimating their impact. The findings suggest that Ho³⁺ codoping is an effective method for accelerating the scintillation response of GGAG:Ce. Furthermore, the study presents a high level of consistency of the Ce³⁺ kinetics with the Inokuti–Hirayama model and with results obtained in the previous studies on similar systems, demonstrating the predictability of the effect of RE³⁺ codoping on scintillator properties.