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Deep Ultraviolet Emitting Scintillators for Biomedical Applications: The Hard Way of Downsizing LuPO 4 :Pr 3+
Author(s) -
Espinoza Sara,
Volhard MaxFabian,
Kätker Heike,
Jenneboer Heike,
Uckelmann Anne,
Haase Markus,
Müller Matthias,
Purschke Martin,
Jüstel Thomas
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
particle and particle systems characterization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-4117
pISSN - 0934-0866
DOI - 10.1002/ppsc.201800282
Subject(s) - materials science , absorption (acoustics) , luminescence , analytical chemistry (journal) , ultraviolet , emission spectrum , optoelectronics , chemistry , spectral line , physics , chromatography , composite material , astronomy
Pr 3+ ‐doped LuPO 4 emits UV radiation between 225 and 280 nm, where DNA shows strong absorption bands. Therefore, a systematic study of the luminescence of Pr 3+ doped LuPO 4 is performed: Different doping concentrations, particles sizes, and excitation schemes (vacuum UV at 160 nm and X‐rays 50 kV, 2 mA, tungsten target) are compared. The emission spectra in the UV range depends on the excitation energy and the particle size. Microcrystalline particles (6 µm) comprising 1% Pr 3+ display the highest emission intensity at 234 nm upon vacuum UV as well as X‐ray excitation. Sub‐microscale particles (20–50 nm) of LuPO 4 :Pr 3+ (1%) show the same UV emission under X‐ray excitation as the larger particles but do not emit under vacuum UV excitation. Colloidal nanoscale particles (5 nm) do not show emission in the UV‐C range. Based on the high‐density and strong X‐ray absorption of LuPO 4 , the implementation of Pr 3+ doped LuPO 4 particles of suitable size (20–50 nm) could improve the well‐established radiation therapy. Owing to the strong absorption and low penetration depth of UV‐C radiation in biological tissue, Pr 3+ ‐doped LuPO 4 particles located directly in cancerous tumors could allow for additional treatment with cell‐damaging UV‐C radiation.