Scintillation and optical properties of LuAP and LuYAP crystals

In this paper properties of LuAP (LuAlO/sub 3/:Ce), and LuYAP (Lu/sub 0.7/Y/sub 0.3/AlO/sub 3/:Ce) crystals are studied. The previously reported self-absorption has been confirmed, and a possible mechanism is discussed. The thermal stability of the material was evaluated, and both LuAP and LuYAP have been found to readily decompose when heated to a sufficiently high temperature. XRD studies were done to determine that a solid-solid phase transformation occurs under those conditions. In addition, thermoluminescence studies reveal the presence of additional traps in the LuYAP crystal, apparently the result of the yttrium addition to the crystal lattice.