Radiation resistance study of Gd-Al-B-Si-Ce³⁺ glass scintillators using 80 MeV proton beam irradiation

High-density Ce³⁺-doped Gd-Al-B-Si glass scintillators have been developed by the Glass Scintillator R&D Collaboration (GS Collaboration) for applications in nuclear and high energy physics. One of the critical factors in these applications is the radiation resistance of the glass scintillator. The impacts of proton irradiation on Ce³⁺-doped Gd-Al-B-Si glass samples have been investigated at doses up to approximately 4 × 10⁴ Gy, utilizing the 80 MeV proton beam on the Associated Proton Beam Experiment Platform (APEP) located at the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). The optical and scintillation properties, including emission, transmittance, light output, decay time and their degradation after proton irradiation, have been measured. Blue shifts of emission peaks were observed in X-rays excited luminescence (XEL) spectra after proton irradiation. Additionally, a red shift in the cut-off wavelength and a decrease of approximately 50% in transmittance at 400 nm were also observed after proton irradiation. The light output decreases by approximately 2/3 after 400 Gy proton irradiation, without significant alteration in the decay time constants of fast and slow components. This research serves as an important reference for evaluating the radiation resistance of high-density Gd-Al-B-Si-Ce³⁺ glass scintillators and can guide their practical applications.