Tb-doped borosilicate glass scintillators with high thermal stability for high-resolution X-ray imaging

Abstract

Scintillators with high thermal stability and excellent spatial resolution are desirable for X-ray imaging applications in harsh environments. Here, Tb³⁺-doped borosilicate glass scintillators were prepared using conventional melt-quenching method. The optimized Tb³⁺-doped borosilicate glass (G-15Tb) scintillator exhibited a significantly higher X-ray excited luminescence intensity (147 % of Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂). Furthermore, it possessed a remarkable imaging spatial resolution of 20 lp/mm, surpassing the standard requirement for X-ray imaging and medical computed tomography scans (2 lp/mm). Moreover, the X-ray excited luminescence intensity of G-15Tb glass sample remained unchanged even after being submerged in water for 30 days, indicating exceptional water resistance. Additionally, the integral intensity of photoluminescence at 573 K is 96.7 % of its initial value. Most importantly, the G-15Tb glass scintillator remains high-quality X-ray images even at elevated operating temperatures. Therefore, the Tb³⁺-doped borosilicate glass scintillator holds immense potential for high-resolution X-ray imaging in harsh environments.