Optical properties of a Nd-doped SrBr₂ crystal grown by the Bridgman technique

We have investigated the optical properties of 1 mol% Nd-doped SrBr ₂ crystal grown by the Bridgman technique for an X-ray scintillator application. We succeeded in obtaining a transparent crystal, whose X-ray diffraction was measured under dry condition because of its hygroscopic nature. Roughly, we estimated that 90% of this crystal dissolved within 300 min. under 25 °C and 65-70% humidity. Under excitation by 270 and 400 nm photons several emission peaks originating from ⁴F_3/2 or ⁴G_i1→⁴I_i2 (i1=5/2 and 7/2 and i2=13/2, 11/2, and 9/2) transitions of Nd³⁺ were observed. 1 mol% Nd:SrBr₂ had a maximum quantum yield of approximately 45%. Additional emission peaks were observed under X-ray excitation.