Enhanced radio-luminescence and density in amorphous optical glass for X-ray imaging.

Amorphous glass scintillators are designed, and the radio-luminescence and density are modulated by GdF3 concentration. The glass density is enhanced to 4.62 g/cm3, which is higher than oxyfluoride glass ceramics, and increases the absorption coefficient for X-rays. The radio-luminescence intensity of optimum glass is higher than that of traditional glass scintillators and even 22 times higher than commercial Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) crystal. Clear imaging photos of objects such as an earphone, metal springs, a peanut, and an integrated circuit chip are all obtained by using the designed glass as a scintillator with a spatial resolution of 20.4 lp/mm. This work provides a strategy for engineering an excellent glass scintillator for clear X-ray imaging.