Ce3+:CaHfO3 thick film scintillators epitaxially grown on SrTiO3, YAlO3, and MgO substrates using chemical vapor deposition

Alkaline earth hafnate perovskite is a promising inorganic scintillator due to its high density and high stopping power; however, its high melting point and phase transitions at elevated temperatures make its crystal growth difficult. We apply chemical vapor deposition method to prepare Ce 3+ -doped CaHfO 3 (Ce 3+ :CaHfO 3 ) thick films on the SrTiO 3 , YAlO 3 , and MgO substrates. Ce 3+ :CaHfO 3 thick films were epitaxially grown on each substrate with deposition rates of 44–77 μm h −1 . The luminescence spectra of the films at the excitation wavelength of 340 nm showed peaks at 423 nm and 463 nm, which were attributed to the Ce 3+ 5d → 2 F 5/2 and 5d → 2 F 7/2 transitions, respectively. The scintillation light yield of the Ce 3+ :CaHfO 3 thick film grown on the MgO substrate was 2900 photons per 5.5 MeV with fast decay constant of 32.1 ns. • Ce 3+ :CaHfO 3 thick film scintillator was epitaxially grown using CVD method • Ce 3+ :CaHfO 3 exhibited luminescence at 423 and 463 nm due to Ce 3+ 5d-4f transitions • Scintillation Light yield was 2900 photons per 5.5 MeV