Scintillation properties of YPO4: RE (RE = Ce3+, Pr3+ or Nd3+)

The spectra of RE-doped YPO4 (RE = Ce3+, Pr3+ or Nd3+) have been measured. The spectroscopic and decay kinetics properties of pure host YPO4 were also studied at 8 K and 300 K, which indicated the host had taken part in the luminescent processes of activators. Under the excitation over the bandgap of the host, the electron could relax to the activators. Through the comparison of spectra and decay time, Nd3+ doped YPO4 had better scinillation properties than Ce3+ or Pr3+ in YPO4.