Influence of fluorooxidizers on scintillation properties of fluorohafnate glass doped with Ce3+

The influence of fluorination of a batch mixture on the scintillation prope rties of fluorohafnate glasses in the HfF4-BaF2-CeF3-AlF3-NaF-InF3 system w as studied. A new technique of batch treatment, comprising additional fluor ination by chlorine trifluoride and xenon difluoride in gaseous phase at th e elevated temperatures was proposed. Transmission spectra before and after gamma -irradiation as well as light yield of the glasses were studied. The radiation hardness of glasses is found to increase as a result of the fluo rination treatment. Tt is suggested that the presence of reduced Hf3+ ions and oxygen impurities should cause the formation of radiation colouring cen tres and decrease the radiation hardness of scintillating HfF4-based glasse s, doped with Ce3+. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.