Lu21xYxSiO5Ce

Lu21xYxSiO5Ce is a mixed-lanthanide silicate described by a general formula in which lutetium sites are partially substituted by yttrium, with cerium acting as a dopant. The composition represents a solid-solution series in the Lu2SiO5 family, where x denotes the mole fraction of yttrium substituting lutetium. Cerium remains at dopant levels intended to activate luminescent centers within the Lu2SiO5 framework.

Structure and composition. The material is expected to crystallize with a Lu2SiO5-type structure, typically monoclinic. Because Y3+ substitutes for Lu3+ without changing charge, the substitution mainly alters lattice parameters and local bonding environments rather than introducing new charge carriers. Ce3+ dopants create luminescent centers that enable scintillation, and their interaction with the host lattice can be influenced by the degree of Lu–Y substitution. The precise site occupancy and valence states depend on synthesis conditions and dopant levels.

Synthesis. The solid-solution can be prepared by high-temperature solid-state reactions from oxide or carbonate precursors, followed by controlled annealing to achieve crystallinity. For larger, high-quality crystals, approaches such as Czochralski growth or flux methods may be employed, with dopant concentrations tuned to optimize optical and scintillation properties.

Properties and applications. Ce-doped Lu2SiO5-based materials are known for fast scintillation and relatively high light yield; yttrium substitution offers a route to tailor decay kinetics, transparency, and defect density. Potential applications include medical imaging (such as PET), radiation detection, and dosimetry. The performance of Lu21xYxSiO5Ce depends on x, Ce concentration, and defect chemistry, making it a subject of ongoing research in the field of oxide scintillators and solid-solution tuning.

See also: Lu2SiO5:Ce, scintillators, Lu2SiO5-based solid solutions.