Synthesis, characterization, optical absorption, luminescence and defect centres in Er3+ and Yb3+ co-doped MgAl2O4 phosphors

The Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped MgAl₂O₄ phosphor powders have been prepared by the combustion method. The phosphor powders are well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive (EDX) techniques. The absorption spectrum of Er³⁺/Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ doped/co-doped phosphor powder has been recorded in the UV–Vis–NIR region of the electro-magnetic spectrum. The evidence for indirect pumping under 980 nm excitation of Er³⁺ from Yb³⁺ was observed in the MgAl₂O₄ matrix material. Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies were carried out to identify the defect centres responsible for the thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) process in MgAl₂O₄:Er³⁺ phosphor. Three defect centres were identified in irradiated phosphor by ESR measurements which were carried out at room temperature and these were assigned to an O^? ion and F⁺ centres. O^? ion (hole centre) appears to correlate with the low temperature TSL peak at 210 °C and one of the F⁺ centres (electron centre) is related to the high temperature peak at 460 °C.     

Photoluminescence,thermoluminescence and electron spin resonance studies on Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> doped Ca<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> red phosphors

Tricalcium aluminate doped with Eu³⁺ was prepared at furnace temperatures as low as 500°C by using the convenient combustion route and examined using powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and photoluminescence techniques. A room-temperature photoluminescence study showed that the phosphors can be efficiently excited by UV/Visible region, emitting a red light with a peak wavelength of 616 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₀–⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions. The phosphor exhibits three thermoluminescence (TL) peaks at 195°C, 325°C and 390°C. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) studies were carried out to study the defect centres induced in the phosphor by gamma irradiation and also to identify the defect centres responsible for the TL process. Room-temperature ESR spectrum of irradiated phosphor appears to be a superposition of three distinct centres. One of the centres (centre I) with principal g-value 2.0130 is identified as O⁻ ion while centre II with an axially symmetric principal values g _∥=2.0030 and g _⊥=2.0072 is assigned to an F⁺ centre (singly ionized oxygen vacancy). O⁻ ion (hole centre) correlates with the TL peak at 195°C and the F⁺ centre (electron centre), which acts as a recombination centre, is also correlated to the 195°C TL peak. F⁺ centre further appears to be related to the high temperature peak at 390°C. Centre III is also assigned to an F⁺ centre and seems to be the recombination centre for the TL peak at 325°C.     

TL, OSL and ESR studies on beryllium oxide

Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies were carried out to identify the defect centres responsible for the thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) processes in BeO phosphor. Two defect centres were identified in irradiated BeO phosphor by ESR measurements, which were carried out at room temperature and these were assigned to an O⁻ ion and Al²⁺ centre. The O⁻ ion (hole centre) correlates with the main 190 °C TL peak. The Al²⁺ centre (electron centre), which acts as a recombination centre, also correlates to the 190 °C TL peak. A third centre, observed during thermal annealing studies, is assigned to an O⁻ ion and is related to the high temperature TL at 317 °C. This centre also appears to be responsible for the observed OSL process in BeO phosphor.     

A rapid combustion process for the preparation of MgSrAl10O17:Eu phosphor and related luminescence and defect investigations

Blue-emitting europium-ion-doped MgSrAl₁₀O₁₇ phosphor, prepared using the combustion method, is described. An efficient phosphor can be prepared by this method in a muffle furnace maintained at 500 °C in a very short time of few minutes. The phosphor is characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and BET surface area measurements. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra revealed that europium ions were present in divalent oxidation state. The thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve shows two peaks at around 178 and at 354 °C. The defect centres formed in the phosphor are studied using electron spin resonance (ESR). The ESR spectrum indicates the presence of Fe³⁺ ions in the non-irradiated system. Irradiated MgSrAl₁₀O₁₇:Eu exhibits lines due to radiation-sensitive Fe³⁺ ion and a defect centre. The centre is characterized by an isotropic g-value of 2.0012 and is assigned to a F⁺ centre. The radiation-sensitive Fe³⁺ ion appears to correlate with the main TL peak at 178 °C. During irradiation an electron is released from Fe²⁺ and is trapped at an anion vacancy to form F⁺ centre. During heating, an electron is liberated from the defect centre and recombines with Fe³⁺ emitting light.     

Synthesis,characterisation, luminescence and defect centres in solution combustion synthesised CaZrO3:Tb3+ phosphor

Tb³⁺ doped CaZrO₃ has been prepared by an easy solution combustion synthesis method. The combustion derived powder was investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy techniques. A room temperature photoluminescence study showed that the phosphors can be efficiently excited by 251 nm light with a weak emission in the blue and orange region and a strong emission in green light region. CaZrO₃:Tb³⁺ exhibits three thermoluminescence (TL) glow peaks at 126 °C, 200 °C and 480 °C. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) studies were carried out to study the defect centres induced in the phosphor by gamma irradiation and also to identify the centres responsible for the TL peaks. The room temperature ESR spectrum of irradiated phosphor appears to be a superposition of two distinct centres. One of the centres (centre I) with principal g-value 2.0233 is identified as an O^? ion. Centre II with an axial symmetric g-tensor with principal values g_=1.9986 and g_?=2.0023 is assigned to an F⁺ centre (singly ionised oxygen vacancy). An additional defect centre is observed during thermal annealing experiments and this centre (assigned to F⁺ centre) seems to originate from an F centre (oxygen vacancy with two electrons). The F centre and also the F⁺ centre appear to correlate with the observed high temperature TL peak in CaZrO₃:Tb³⁺ phosphor.     

Investigation of defect centres responsible for TL/OSL in MgAl2O4:Tb

Magnesium aluminate doped with Tb³⁺ (MgAl₂O₄:Tb³⁺) was prepared by combustion synthesis. Three thermoluminsence (TL) peaks at 120, 220 and 340 °C were observed. PL and TL emission spectrum shows that Tb³⁺ acts as the luminescent centre. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) was observed when stimulated by 470 nm blue light.Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies were carried out to identify the defect centres responsible for the TL and OSL processes in MgAl₂O₄:Tb³⁺. Two defect centres were identified in irradiated MgAl₂O₄:Tb³⁺ phosphor by ESR measurements which was carried out at room temperature and these were assigned to V and F⁺ centres. V centre (hole centre) is correlated to 120 and 220 °C TL peaks and F⁺ centre (electron centre), which acts as a recombination centre is correlated to 120, 220 and 340 °C.     

Infrared luminescence, thermoluminescence and defect centres in Er and Yb co-doped ZnAl2O4 phosphor

Er and Yb co-doped ZnAl₂O₄ phosphors were prepared by solution combustion synthesis and the identification of Er and Yb were done by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) studies. A luminescence at 1.5 μm, due to the ⁴I_13/2 →⁴I_15/2 transition, has been studied in the NIR region in Er and Yb co-doped ZnAl₂O₄ phosphors upon 980 nm CW pumping. Er-doped ZnAl₂O₄ exhibits two thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) peaks around 174°C and 483°C, while Yb co-doped ZnAl₂O₄ exhibits TSL peaks around 170°C and 423°C. Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies were carried out to identify defect centres responsible for TSL peaks observed in the phosphors. Room temperature ESR spectrum appears to be a superposition of two distinct centres. These centres are assigned to an O⁻ ion and F⁺ centre. O⁻ ion appears to correlate with the 174°C TSL peak and F⁺ centre appears to relate with the high temperature TSL peak at 483°C in ZnAl₂O₄:Er phosphor.     

Defect centres and thermoluminescence in SrS:Bi phosphor

Thermoluminescence (TL) and electron spin resonance studies have been carried out on SrS:Bi phosphor. The TL glow curve is broad and indicates a dominant peak at 120 ^°C with two additional peaks, not clearly resolved, appearing as shoulders at around 180 and 250 ^°C. Two defect centres are observed at room temperature. One of them is characterized by an isotropic g-value 2.0034 and is assigned to an F⁺ centre. Step annealing measurements indicate a possible association between the F⁺ centre and the three TL peaks.     

Infrared emission and defect centres in Er and Yb codoped Y3Al5O12 phosphors

YAG phosphor powders doped/codoped with Er³⁺/(Er³⁺ + Yb³⁺) have been synthesised by using the solution combustion method. The effect of direct pumping into the ⁴I_11/2 level under 980 nm excitation of doped/codoped Er³⁺/Yb³⁺−Er³⁺ in Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG) phosphor responsible for an infrared (IR) emission peaking at ∼1.53 μm corresponding to the ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition has been studied. YAG exhibits three thermally-stimulated luminescence (TSL) peaks at around 140°C, 210°C and 445°C. Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies were carried out to identify the centres responsible for the TSL peaks. The room temperature ESR spectrum of irradiated phosphor appears to be a superposition of two distinct centres. One of the centres (centre I) with principal g-value 2.0176 is identified as O⁻ ion, while centre II with an isotropic g-factor 2.0020 is assigned to an F⁺ centre (singly ionised oxygen vacancy). An additional defect centre is observed during thermal-annealing experiments and this centre (assigned to F⁺ centre) seems to originate from an F-centre (oxygen vacancy with two electrons) and these two centres appear to correlate with the observed high-temperature TSL peak in YAG phosphor.     

Influence of nitrogen implantation on thermoluminescence of synthetic quartz

Thermoluminescence (TL) of synthetic quartz exposed to beta irradiation following implantation with 60?keV N⁺ ions at fluences ranging between 1?×?10¹⁴ and 5?×?10¹⁵?ions/cm² is reported. The glow curve measured at 5°C/s typically consists of a prominent peak near 110°C, studied in this work, and minor glow peaks at around 130°C and 190°C. The TL intensity of the main peak increased both with implantation and with fluence of implantation. The dependence of the intensity on heating rate and fluence suggests that the implantation introduces new defects that may possibly act as recombination centres. The increase in TL intensity with the heating rate exhibited by implanted samples has been observed in other luminescence materials. This anti-quenching phenomenon has been described as a competition effect between multiple luminescence pathways in luminescence materials. Kinetic analysis of the main glow peak using the initial rise, various heating rate and glow curve deconvolution methods shows that the activation energy of the main peak is about 0.7?eV with no systematic change due to ion fluence.     

Synthesis, photoluminescence, thermoluminescence and electron spin resonance investigations of CaAl12O19:Eu phosphor

The present paper describes the synthesis of europium-doped calcium aluminate phosphor using the combustion method. An efficient blue emission phosphor can be prepared at reaction temperatures as low as 500 °C in a few minutes by this method. Characterization of the powder was done by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope analysis and the optical properties were studied by photoluminescence spectra. Thermoluminescence (TL) studies also have been carried out on CaAl₁₂O₁₉:Eu²⁺ phosphor. The TL glow curve shows peaks at 174 and 240 °C. Defect centres formed in irradiated phosphor have been studied using the technique of electron spin resonance. Step annealing measurements indicate that one of the annealing stages of a defect centre appear to correlate with the release of carriers resulting in TL peak at 174 °C. The centre is characterized by an isotropic g-value of 2.0046 and is assigned to a F⁺ centre.     

Defect centre responsible for production of 110 ∘ C TL peak in quartz

110 ^°C thermoluminescence (TL) peak in quartz is well known due to its pre-dose effect, which is used in dating technique. The generally accepted mechanism for the production of this peak is based on Ge impurity contained in quartz. Its role is to substitute for Si in SiO₄ tetrahedron and under irradiation gives rise to [GeO₄/e^?]^? electron centre. Heating for TL read out liberates electron that recombines with hole in [AlO₄/h]^° or [H₃O₄/h]^° centres emitting photon. The investigation, carried out on blue quartz, green quartz, black quartz, pink quartz, red quartz, sulphurous quartz, milky quartz, alpha quartz and synthetic quartz, has shown that the 110 ^°C TL peak in all these varieties of quartz has no correlation with the respective Ge content. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements on any of these varieties of quartz revealed a signal with g₁=2.0004, g₂=1.9986 and g₃=1.974 and this signal does not appear to correspond to any known EPR signals in alpha quartz. Furthermore, isothermal decay measurements are carried out on the above mentioned EPR signal and 110 ^°C TL peak in alpha, blue and green quartz. A close correlation has been observed in the decay behavior. A new mechanism is proposed based on an interstitial O^? centre.     

TL,OA and ESR of spessartine garnet

Thermoluminescence (TL), optical absorption (OA), electron spin resonance (ESR) and their relation to point defects in spessartine have been investigated. The TL glow curve presented four peaks at 150, 220, 260 and 335 °C. The 150 and 335 °C TL peaks growth curves presented a linear growth with radiation dose up to about 400 Gy, supralinearity above this dose, and saturation around 800–1000 Gy. The OA spectrum presented allowed spin transition bands due to Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ in dodecahedral environment. Absorption bands due to ultraviolet charge transfer of Fe³⁺ in octahedral and tetrahedral positions were also observed. Two ESR, a strong one around g?～?2 due to Fe³⁺ in octahedral position, and another weaker one at g?～?4 due to Fe³⁺ in tetrahedral position, have been detected. The effect of high temperature annealing (600–900 °C) before irradiation was also investigated.     

Effect of γ-radiation on TL,ESR and evaluation of trapping parameters of K2Ca(SO4)2:X (X = Dy or Eu) phosphors

ABSTRACT

The present phosphor K₂Ca(SO₄)_2, doped by dysprosium and europium, is synthesized by the solid-state diffusion method. The doping concentration varied from 0.1 to 0.5?mol% by weight. A phosphor is studied for X-ray powder diffraction, surface morphology analytical scanning electron microscopy and analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The prepared phosphor K₂Ca(SO₄)_2, doped by Dy and Eu, has been characterized for thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve, showing maximum peak temperatures at 176°C and at 200°C, respectively. TL peak intensity of K₂Ca(SO₄)₂: Dy and Eu was compared with the standard TLD CaSO₄:Dy phosphor. Both phosphors show the dose linearity ranging from 20 to 240?Gy doses of γ-rays of ⁶⁰Co source at room temperature. Negligible fading has been observed when irradiated with γ-rays and stored for 60 days without taking any care from sunlight. The TL materials were used in powder forms. The linearity of ESR response with dose for powder forms of K₂Ca(SO₄)₂: Dy was also studied using the signals at g?=?2:0039 (SO₃^?) and at g?=?2:02282 (SO₄^?). It was observed that the range of linearity of dose response extended between 20 and 240?Gy. Kinetic parameters have been calculated using three different methods: Chen's peak shape method, various heating rate method and initial rise method. To study the heating rate method, the glow curve was recorded for the heating rate as 1°C, 3°C, 5°C, 7°C, 9°C each time. Electron spin resonance (ESR) shows the ionic radical formation during γ-irradiation, which is responsible for TL. The effect of temperature and microwave power on the ESR signal was also studied.     

Thermoluminescence and electron spin resonance after room-temperature X-ray irradiation of NaCl:Mn2+

A parallel investigation of thermoluminescence (TL) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra on room-temperature (RT) X-irradiated NaCl:Mn²⁺ has been performed. The TL spectra in the range 20–300°C consist of five glow peaks, numbered from I to V. Temperatures at maximum height are 41°, 68°, 118°, 152° and 216°C, respectively. Peaks I, II and IV obey first-order kinetics, whereas peaks III and V fit second-order behavior. The wavelength spectrum for all glow peaks consists of two bands centered at 595 and 400 nm. The 595 nm emission is attributed to hole capture by Mn⁺ and subsequent deexcitation of Mn²⁺. The 400 nm emission is produced as a consequence of hole-F center recombination.The correlation of TL glow peaks to various defects has been investigated. Peak II is clearly related to manganese-vacancy dipoles and peak I can be roughly associated to free cation vacancies. Peak IV appears to relate to large Mn-aggregates, whereas peak V is intrinsic and not related to impurities.On the other hand, ESR data indicate that each glow peak in the 595 nm emission is associated to the annihilation of a given Mn-center; Peak I to Mn⁰C, peak II to Mn⁰C and Mn⁺, peak III to Mn⁺ and peaks IV and V to Mn⁰-D.     

TL–ESR correlation studies in LiMgPO4:Tb,B phosphor

Defect centers formed in irradiated LiMgPO₄:Tb,B phosphor have been investigated using the electron spin resonance technique. O^?, BO₃^2?, PO₂^?, and F⁺ are some of the centers observed in the gamma-irradiated phosphor. The phosphor exhibits thermoluminescence (TL) peaks at around 110°C, 175°C, and 260°C. An attempt has been made to determine the correlation between the defect centers and the observed TL peaks.     

Basic thermoluminescent and dosimetric properties of Al2O3:C irradiated by pulse intensive electron beam

The effect of deep traps filled by a pulse electron beam on the thermoluminescent (TL) properties in Al₂O₃:C dosimetric crystals is studied. When the deep traps are filled, the dosimetric peak at 170 °C acquires a double-peak structure not present in the initial samples. The effect of the population of the deep centers having various nature (electron or hole traps) and energy depth on the shape of the dosimetric TL peak structure is analyzed. An assumption is made that in the temperature ranges of 350–500 °C and 650–750 °C, electron traps are emptied, whereas at T = 500–650 °C hole traps are emptied. The possibility of using the TL associated with deep traps in high-dose dosimetry of pulse electron beams is shown.     

Synthesis and characterization of Ce-doped SrS phosphors

SrS:Ce phosphor was prepared by a solid-state diffusion method. Powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the as-prepared product, and the optical properties were studied by photoluminescence spectra. In addition, thermoluminescence and electron spin resonance studies have been carried out on SrS:Ce phosphor. The TL glow curve is broad and indicates two dominant peaks at 137 and 275^°C, with an additional peak, not clearly resolved, appearing as shoulder at ～362^°C. Two defect centers are observed at room temperature. One of them is characterized by an isotropic g-value of 2.0039 and is assigned to an F⁺ center. Step annealing measurements indicate a possible association between the F⁺ center and the 137^°C TL peak.     

Thermoluminescence of Al2O3:Cr3+ films synthesized by the nonaqueous sol–gel method

The thermoluminescence (TL) properties of Al₂O₃:Cr³⁺ thin films prepared by the nonaqueous sol–gel method were evaluated. The obtained thin films were characterized by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometry. They were irradiated with ⁶⁰Co gamma rays of the different doses. TL glow curves exhibited two peaks centered at 197°C and 322°C.The heights of peaks were found to be sensitive to exposures of ionizing irradiation and the integral area of the TL signals had a linear response in the dose range of 5–60 Gy.This remarkable result suggests that Al₂O₃:Cr³⁺ films might potentially be used for radiation dosimetry.