A synthesis and luminescence study of Sm³⁺- or Tb³⁺-Doped Gd₃Ga₂Al₃O₁₂ Phosphors for x-ray imaging

Sm³⁺- or Tb³⁺-doped gadolinium gallium aluminum garnet (Gd3Ga2Al3O12) phosphors were fabricated by using a solid-state reaction with gadolinium oxide, gallium oxide and aluminum oxide as host materials, as well as samarium oxide and terbium oxide as doping materials. The powders were processed at 1300 ^◦C for 5 hours in a horizontal furnace. For this study, Gd3Ga2Al3O12:Sm³⁺, Tb³⁺ phosphors were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction). In addition, the properties of X-ray- and UV-induced luminescences were studied. The emission spectra of Gd3Ga2Al3O12: Sm³⁺ and Gd3Ga2Al3O12: Tb³⁺ for X-rays and UV light were in the wavelength range from 500 to 800 nm. Gd3Ga2Al3O12 has a high effective Z-number (Z_eff = 51) and is sensitive to X-rays and gamma-rays. Therefore, Gd3Ga2Al3O12:Sm³⁺or Tb³⁺ phosphors are promising candidates in diagnostic X-ray imaging.