Scintillation and Luminescent Properties of the (Gd,Y)3Al2Ga3O12:Ce Ceramics Obtained by Compaction of Green Bodies Using Digital Light Processing 3D Printing

Abstract

Dense and transparent ceramic samples of a (Gd,Y)3Al2Ga3O12:Ce scintillator were obtained by using stereolithography-based Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing for compacting, subsequent burnout, and pressureless sintering. The effects of stoichiometric deviations and green body compaction methods (uniaxial pressing versus DLP 3D printing) on the optical, luminescent, and scintillation properties of ceramics were analyzed. An excess of Y and Gd in the composition led to an increase in transmittance and to the acceleration of the scintillation kinetics. Moreover, transparent ceramics made of 3D-printed green bodies were found to be superior in light yield to the samples, which were prepared from the same powders and densified by uniaxial pressing.