PbO compensation in the growth of PbWO₄: Y³⁺ crystals

Abstract

The light yield of Y³⁺-doped PbWO₄ crystals increases after low-dose-rate irradiation with γ rays, and the radiation hardness is sensitive to annealing temperature. In the PWO growth procedure, an excess of PbO in the starting materials is a convenient method of compensating for PbO volatility. The relationship between the excess of PbO and the abnormal radiation behaviour has been investigated. The mechanism of the normal excess of PbO in the growth of PWO: Y³⁺ is discussed.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by The National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 59932002). The authors would like to acknowledge the helpful assistance with the light-yield experiments by Dr Jianjun Xie.