A Tb and Ag co-doped borate compound forms a high sensitive X-ray, gamma-ray and neutron luminescence dosimeter

Author(s)

Franca, Leonardo V. S. ; Muller, Elisabeth ; Yukihara, Eduardo G. G. ; Baffa, Oswaldo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C; v. 11, n. 13, p. 12-pg., 2023-03-06.

Abstract

Space, radiotherapy, X-ray imaging/screening, nuclear reactors, large research facilities (linear accelerators and synchrotron radiation facilities) and nuclear accidents are all examples associated with the need for monitoring high-energy radiation. Herein, we report the luminescent and dosimetric properties of a radiation sensitive phosphor based on CaB6O10:Tb3+,Ag+ compounds. The operation principle here is the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), which is the luminescence of a previously irradiated material under optical stimulation. The phosphor presented strong UV-OSL under blue stimulation (a minimum detectable dose of 2.3 mu Gy), with dose linearity in the whole dose range analysed (30 mGy-20 Gy) and no signs of saturation. The thermoluminescence (TL) of the phosphor featured mainly a peak at 275 degrees C, whose trapping center was shown to be associated with the main OSL component. Furthermore, the TL emission is dominated by Tb3+ emission lines (main emission at 541 nm). Overcoming the main limitation of the commercial Al2O3:C phosphor, OSL was observed after neutron irradiation. Besides reporting the luminescent and dosimetric properties of a novel neutron sensitive OSL phosphor obtained through a low-cost synthesis method, this work sheds light on how lanthanide and silver ions influence the charge trapping and radiative processes in borate compounds. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07699-0 - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics - NeuroMat
• Grantee: Oswaldo Baffa Filho
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC