Fluorescent substance and fluorescent composition containing the same
The present invention provides a fluorescent substance represented by the following general formula: (A 1−x B x ) 2 Si 2 O 7 , wherein A is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Gd, Y, Lu and La, B is at least one member selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements other than A and x is a numerical value specified by the formula: 0<x≦0.2 and which can emit light rays having a wavelength falling within the range of ultraviolet, visible and infrared regions in response to, for instance, optical stimuli, electron beam stimuli, electric field stimuli, stress stimuli and radiation stimuli; a fluorescent composition comprising such a fluorescent substance dispersed in a silica glass matrix; and a scintillator obtained using the foregoing substance or composition. These fluorescent substance, fluorescent composition, scintillator material and fluorescent material have high luminous outputs and are excellent in the processability.
1. A radiation detector comprising a fluorescent substance represented by the following general formula: (A 1−x B x ) 2 Si 2 O 7 , wherein A is Gd, B is Ce or mixtures of Ce with at least one other rare earth element excluding Gd, Y, Lu and La, and x is a numerical value specified by the formula: 0<x≦0.2.
2. The radiation detector of claim 1 , wherein x is a numerical value specified by the formula: 0<x≦0.06, and wherein the substance has an orthorhombic crystal system having a Pna 2 1 space group.
3. The radiation detector of claim 1 , comprising a fluorescent composition which includes at least 5% by mass of said fluorescent substance.
4. The radiation detector of claim 1 , comprising a fluorescent composition which includes a matrix and at least 5% by mass of said fluorescent substance, incorporated into the matrix.
5. The radiation detector of claim 4 , wherein the matrix is at least one member selected from the group consisting of silica glass, borosilicate glass, quartz and cristobalite.
6. The radiation detector of claim 4 , wherein the matrix is a polymer resin.
7. The radiation detector of claim 2 , comprising a fluorescent composition which includes at least 5% by mass of said fluorescent substance.
8. The radiation detector of claim 2 , comprising a fluorescent composition which includes a matrix and at least 5% by mass of said fluorescent substance incorporated into the matrix.
9. The radiation detector of claim 8 , wherein the matrix is at least one member selected from the group consisting of silica glass, borosilicate glass, quartz and cristobalite.
10. The radiation detector of claim 8 , wherein the matrix is a polymer resin.
11. The radiation detector of claim 1 , wherein x is a numerical value specified by the formula 0<x≦0.06.
12. The radiation detectors of claim 2 , wherein x is 0.005≦x≦0.06.