Garnet Crystal Growth in Non-precious Metal Crucibles

The work is motivated by the need for cheap garnet-based scintillators for new high energy physics experiments at colliders and medical equipment. During recent years, garnets became among the most studied scintillators due to a drastic enhancement of light yield achieved in (Lu,Y,Gd)$_{3}$(Al,Ga)$_{5}$O$_{12}$:Ce multicomponent systems. Meanwhile, the production process of YAG- and LuAG-based crystals is easier and less expensive compared to the multicomponent garnets. This work addresses the preparation process and the optical and scintillation properties of YAG, YAG:Ce crystals grown in non-precious metal crucibles.