[Preparation and Performances of the M'-Type LuTaO4:Eu³⁺ Transparent Scintillator Films]

X-ray imaging has a very important role in life sciences and material microstructure analysis and other applications. One of the core components of X-ray imaging equipment is the X-rays-visible light conversion screen. Flashing transparent film is an effective way to achieve high spatial resolution X-ray imaging. M'-type LuTaO₄: Eu³+ is an excellent scintillation material. It has high light yield, high density, good radiation hardness and good chemical stability. Therefore, to research and develop the transparent conversion screen with M'-type LuTaO⁴: Eu+ is very important for the application of X-ray detector in high spatial resolution X-ray imaging. In this paper, the M'-type LuTaO₄:Eu³+ transparent scintillator films were successfully prepared from the inorganic salt and 2-methoxyethanol solution containing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) via sol-gel technique, and transmittance, photoluminescence, X-ray excitation emission spectral and spatial resolution, and a series of film properties were characterized. A film thickness of about 2.1 µm was achieved after 8 coatings. The thick film was homogeneous and crack free, and the transmittance was approximately 70% in its emission region. The spatial resolution of the thick film was 1.5 µm, which measured by the standard spatial resolution panels. An X-ray imageof fruit fly was obtained by using this thick film. Additionally, thesol-gel derived M'-type LuTaO₄:Eu³+ thick film revealed excellent photoluminescence and X-ray excited luminescence per- formances. All results indicated that the M'-type LuTaO⁴:Eu³+ thick films have satisfied the essential requirements for applications in high-spatial-resolution X-ray imaging.