LAUSR

Abstract BaHfO 3 sintered ceramic scintillators doped with various Pr concentrations (0–1 mol%) were synthesized at 1700 °C in N 2 –H 2 atmosphere. XRD, SEM and photo-luminescent techniques at various temperatures (40 K to 550 K) were employed to reveal properties of the BaHfO 3 :Pr ceramics. Results of spectroscopic investigation indicate that the luminescence is connected almost exclusively with decay of the 3 P 0 level, while the emission from 1 D 2 is hardly seen even for higher Pr 3+ concentrations. However, the intrinsic emission of BaHfO 3 matrix, related with defects or impurities, seems to compete with the emission of Pr 3+ ions. The 3 P 0 luminescence decays give time constant of about 25–32 μs in the 40–550 K range of temperatures, while the 1 D 2 decay time depends on the dopant concentration and gets shorter above 300 K for 1% specimen due to a cross relaxation process between Pr 3+ ions.