A scintillator, having a composition represented by the following general formula (1), including a substitution element A, the substitution element A comprising at least La, and a total molar content of the substitution element A being 0.00001 mol or more and 0.05 mol or less in 1 mol of the scintillator, and further including an activator element B, the activator element B being constituted from Ce, having a perovskite-type crystal structure, and exhibiting a linear transmittance of light at a wavelength of 800 nm, at a thickness of 1.9 mm, of 30% or more. QM.sub.xO.sub.3y . . . (1): wherein Q represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba; M represents Hf; Q and M are each optionally substituted with other element at a proportion of 20% by mol or less; and x and y respectively satisfy 0.5?x?1.5 and 0.7?y?1.5.

An inspection station for detecting oil or lubricant contamination in a manufactured product, the inspection station having (a) a conveyor for advancing manufactured product, and (b) an infrared detection apparatus, including (i) a high intensity infrared light source for directing at the manufactured product, and (ii) a high speed NIR spectrometer sensor tuned to detect an emitted signal from a taggant disposed in the oil or lubricant.

A nano-composite structure comprises of an amorphous matrix with embedded nano-crystallites. The nano-crystallites are precipitated from the amorphous matrix via heat treatment of a solution mixture of metal salts or metalorganic compounds to an appropriate temperature range and with a suitable duration, or heating of a mixture of non-crystalline compounds. The nano-crystallites are self-assembled in the amorphous matrix without forming agglomerates or distinguished grain boundaries. The nano-composite structure can be used for transparent display, transparent optical ceramics, protection armor, nuclear protection, pulsed power, high voltage electronics, high energy storage system and high power microwave systems.

Provided is a phosphor represented by general formula (1) below,

(Gd.sub.1-x-y,Ln.sub.y,M.sup.II.sub.x).sub.3M.sup.III.sub.2(Ga.sub.1-z,M.sup.IV.sub.z).sub.3O.sub.12:Cr.sup.3+(1) where, in the formula, Ln is one or more elements selected from La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, and Lu, M.sup.II is a divalent element, M.sup.III is a trivalent element, M.sup.IV is a tetravalent element, and x, y, and z satisfy 0<x<0.5, 0?y<0.5, and 0<z<0.5.

A polymerizable composition includes at least one monomer, a photoinitiator capable of initiating polymerization of the monomer when exposed to light, and a phosphor capable of producing light when exposed to radiation (typically X-rays). The material is particularly suitable for bonding components at ambient temperature in situations where the bond joint is not accessible to an external light source. An associated method includes: placing a polymerizable adhesive composition, including a photoinitiator and energy converting material, such as a down-converting phosphor, in contact with at least two components to be bonded to form an assembly; and, irradiating the assembly with radiation at a first wavelength, capable of conversion (down-conversion by the phosphor) to a second wavelength capable of activating the photoinitiator, to prepare items such as inkjet cartridges, wafer-to-wafer assemblies, semiconductors, integrated circuits, and the like.

Disclosed herein is a scintillator comprising a plurality of garnet compositions in a single block having the structural formula (1):
M.sup.1.sub.aM.sup.2.sub.bM.sup.3.sub.cM.sup.4.sub.dO.sub.12(1)
where O represents oxygen, M.sup.1, M.sup.2, M.sup.3, and M.sup.4 represents a first, second, third and fourth metal that are different from each other, where the sum of a+b+c+d is about 8, where a has a value of 2 to 3.5, b has a value of 0 to 5, c has a value of 0 to 5 d has a value of 0 to 1, where b and c, b and d or c and d cannot both be equal to zero simultaneously, where M.sup.1 is rare earth element including gadolinium, yttrium, lutetium, or a combination thereof, M.sup.2 is aluminum or boron, M.sup.3 is gallium and M.sup.4 is a codopant; wherein two compositions having identical structural formulas are not adjacent to each other and wherein the single block is devoid of optical interfaces between different compositions.

A phosphor comprises a crystal phase that has a chemical composition of (Y.sub.1-x-y,Ce.sub.x,La.sub.y).sub.Si.sub.-zAl.sub.zN.sub.O, where the satisfies 5.56.5, the satisfies 9.512.5, the satisfies 17.522.5, the x satisfies 0<x0.1, the y satisfies 0y0.4, and the z satisfies 0z0.5. A light emission spectrum of the phosphor includes a peak within a wavelength range of not less than 600 nm and not more than 660 nm.

A composite oxide contains oxides of aluminum, strontium, cerium, lanthanum, and manganese. A light emitting aspect of the composite oxide when the composite oxide is irradiated with a first electromagnetic wave having a wavelength not longer than 300 nm is different from a light emitting aspect of the composite oxide when the composite oxide is irradiated with a second electromagnetic wave having a wavelength longer than 300 nm.

Provided is a reddish light emitting phosphorescent phosphor, that is efficiently excited with visible light and is chemically stable. The phosphorescent phosphor comprises a compound represented by MSi.sub.2O.sub.2N.sub.2:Yb,R, wherein M is at least one metal element selected from strontium, calcium, barium, and magnesium, and R is at least one element selected front erbium, holmium, gadolinium, praseodymium, terbium, dysprosium, neodymium, bismuth, scandium, and chromium. The phosphorescent phosphor is an excellent phosphorescent phosphor having a reddish afterglow.

A luminophore may have the general formula A.sub.xM.sub.yX.sub.z:RE. A may be selected from the group of the trivalent cations. M may be selected from the group of the trivalent cations and includes at least two elements from the following group: Ga, Sc, Al, In, Sb, Bi, As, and Lu. X may be selected from the group of the divalent anions. RE may be a dopant and may be selected from the group formed by the following elements and the combinations of the following elements: Ni, Mn, Cr, Co, Fe, and Sn, where
0.8?x?1.2,
0.8?y?1.2 and
2.7?z?3.3. A process is also disclosed for producing a luminophore, an optoelectronic component, and an NIR spectrometer.