Characterization of the optical and thermoluminescent properties of amazonites.

• Grant number: 22/07200-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mining Engineering - Mineral Prospecting
• Principal Investigator: Neilo Marcos Trindade
• Grantee: Roberto Turibio Ebina Kawanaka Martins
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/05982-0 - R&D&I in radiation metrology in the health area, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/00890-0 - Time-Resolved Optically Stimulated Luminescence in Brazilian's amazonite, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Most minerals (silicates, carbonates, phosphates, etc.) exhibit the property of luminescent emission. This feature opens possibilities for studies of materials with potential application in luminescent dosimetry of ionizing radiation; specifically in areas of retrospective, accident and dating dosimetry. Within this context, the research of natural materials becomes a topic of social and economic interest, since, in addition to its application in the area of dosimetry, it can be a lower cost alternative when compared to synthetically produced detectors. In view of this, this project aims to characterize the luminescent properties of the mineral amazonite (KAlSi3O8) - a microline variety of feldspar - using thermoluminescence (TL) and optical absorption techniques in the UV-Vis (AO) region. From the TL emission curve it is possible to obtain important kinetic parameters for prospecting the material in dosimetry and from the AO analysis it is possible to study the mineral absorbing centers. Furthermore, chemical and structural characterizations, such as Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) will be applied to complement the study. It is expected to identify the defects that promote the luminescence of amazonite and verify its potential for study in retrospective and/or environmental dosimetry.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MARTINS, R. T. E. K.; FERREIRA, I. A.; SILVA, A. O.; NUNES, M. C. S.; ULSEN, C.; KUNZEL, R.; SOUZA, M. M.; CHITHAMBO, M. L.; YOSHIMURA, E. M.; TRINDADE, N. M.. Thermoluminescence of rose quartz from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, v. 209, p. 11-pg., 2023-04-15. (21/05042-0, 18/05982-0, 21/10117-9, 22/07200-4, 21/12758-1, 20/15626-6, 19/05915-3)