Time-resolved optical spectroscopy of CsI(Tl) crystals by pulsed electron beam irradiation

Properties of the color and emission centers induced with an electron pulse beam at temperature within 80-300 K have been studied in CsI(Tl) crystals. It has been established by optical spectrometry with time resolution that initial color centers in this crystal are only Tl⁰ and V_k centers, which spontaneously recombine emitting visible light at 2.25 and 2.55 eV. It has been shown that the emission decay kinetics at 80 K include two fast exponential components with decay constants 3 and 14 μs as well as slow hyperbolic component with the power index depending on the wavelength of the emitting light. The temperature effect on the emission kinetics has been studied and it has been directly proved that the emission rise stage at the temperature above 170 K is caused by the recombination of electrons, which are thermally released from single Tl⁰ centers, with V_kA centers. The origin of scintillations in CsI(Tl) crystal is discussed in terms of the tunnel electron transitions from ground state of Tl⁰ centers to ground state of V_k centers at different distances from each other.     

Short-living absorption and emission of CsI(Na)

This paper investigates the short-living absorption and the emission of CsI(Na) under a pulsed electron beam (Е_e=0.25 MeV, t_1/2=15 ns and W=0.003…0.16 J/cm²). The bands of singlet self-trapped excitons, as well as Na⁰ and V_k color centers have been detected in the transient absorption spectrum of CsI(Na). It has been found that the activator luminescence spectrum, peaking at 3.0 eV, fits a Gaussian (E_m=3.0 eV and FWHM=0.44±0.02 eV at 80 K) and remains the same at different time delays within 10⁻⁸-10⁻³ s. The decay kinetics of the 3.0 eV emission has one nanosecond exponential component and two microsecond ones with time constants 1.0 and 3.0 μs, which remain unchanged within 78-150 K. It is concluded that the activator emission is due to the radiative annihilation of sodium-perturbed two halide excitons from the non-relaxed singlet state. The pathways of such excitons creation are discussed.     

Study of color centers produced in thulium doped YLF crystals irradiated by electron beam and femtosecond laser pulses

In this work, we report the influence of the presence of photochromic and color centers in the photobleaching of thulium ions blue emission in YLF (YLiF₄) crystals doped with 1 mol% Tm (3+). The samples were irradiated at room temperature both with electron beam and high intensity ultrashort pulses from a Ti:Sapphire CPA laser system. In both irradiations the production of photochromic and color centers was observed via the absorption bands in the UV and visible ranges. Pure LiF and pure and oxygen doped YLF crystals were used to identify the color centers produced and their optical properties. From a phenomenological model it was possible to study the interaction between color centers and thulium ions, and their effect in photobleaching and photodarkening behaviors. Finally, the blue up laser level population was computed using a rate equation analysis.     

CsI(Tl) layers spectroscopy - comparison with crystals

Abstract

Emission and excitation spectra at liquid helium and liquid nitrogen temperature of CsI(Tl) single crystals and evaporated thin layers have revealed the existence of new centers in such materials. In particular, an emission band is observed around 460nm excited near 325 nm correlates with the quality of the evaporated thin film in terms of light yield and temporal behavior. The results can be interpreted using a dopant ion-bound exciton model involving different kinds of perturbed and non-perturbed centers.     

Photo- and radiation-chemical transformations of carbonate ions in CsI and CsI(Tl) crystals

It is shown that irradiation of CsI and CsI(Tl) crystals containing carbonate and hydroxyl ions induces radiation defects there in the form of color centers, HCO ₃ ^- ions, and H₂O molecules. HCO ₃ ^- ions are formed in the bulk of crystals, whereas water molecules are formed only in the surface layer. IR spectra offered no evidence of decomposition of CO ₃ ^2- ions into CO and CO ₂ ^- and of formation of CO ₃ ^- ions in the course of growth nor in the course of irradiation of CsI(CO₃) and CsI(Tl, CO₃) crystals. Electron activator color centers in CsI(Tl, CO₃) crystals are likely to be stabilized by hole near-activator centers and by HCO ₃ ^- ions produced in radiation-induced chemical reactions.     

Size-induced effect on cathode luminescence spectra of CsI(Na) and CsI(Tl) crystals

We investigated the cathode luminescence characteristics of CsI(Na)and CsI(Tl)crystals by the spectrum and structure properties at room temperature.We fabricated three different sizes of CsI(Na)and CsI(Tl)crystals and measured their luminescence spectra under cathode rays.We found that CsI(Na)cathode luminescence peaks appear at 420 and 305 nm,and CsI(Tl)cathode luminescence peaks are 540 and 410 nm,the grain size affects CsI(Na)luminescence significantly,and the Na-related420 nm luminescence intensified relatively when the average grain size reaches~20μm,which becomes weak when the grain size is down to nano-scale.But the cathode luminescence spectra of CsI(Tl)crystals with different size have no obvious changes.Our explanations for these phenomena are that the different impurities in the same host material CsI lead to different luminescence mechanisms.These cathode luminescence characteristics indicate the suitability of CsI(Na)and CsI(Tl)crystals to match photomultiplier tube for large area crystal detector development.     

Thermoluminescence and photoluminescence studies on gamma irradiated CsI: Pb2+ crystals

Pure and Pb²⁺-doped CsI crystals have been grown by the Bridgemann technique. Optical absorption, thermoluminescence (TL) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements have been performed. In undoped and Pb²⁺-doped cesium iodide crystals, F-centers and V-centers have been produced at 770 nm and 350 nm, respectively. In Pb²⁺-doped crystals, additional centers at 373 nm, 290 nm and 258 nm bands have been produced. In undoped samples, only two glow peaks at 343 K and 373 K have been produced, and in Pb²⁺-doped samples additional glow peaks at 383 K and 423 K have been produced. For all the samples, TL emission, PL and excitation measurements have been performed.     

Color centers in irradiated MgF2

Abstract

Color centers in rutile-structured MgF₂ single crystals irradiated at 20K/360K by reactor neutrons are investigated spectroscopically at LNT. Four different types of the F-F vacancy bond in MgF₂ are possibly identified to the observed absorption bands as due to the F₂ centers; instead of previous assignments, the 300nm band to the F₂(D_2h), the 325nm band to the F₂(C₁), the 355nm band to the F₂(C_2v), and the 400nm band to the F₂(C_2h) centers.     

Color and luminescence centers in LiF(U) crystals irradiated by pulsed electron beams

Characteristics of color and luminescent centers produced in LiF:U⁶⁺ (0.01M%) crystals by pulses of accelerated electrons (0.25 MeV, 15 ns, 8–200 mJ/cm²) at 77–350 K are studied using time-resolved optical spectroscopy. It is found that the time constant of the exponential rise of the cathodoluminescence intensity in the visual spectral range after completion of the irradiation pulse coincides with the decay time of a group of lines in the UV region at T = 77–280 K and with the decay time of the number of V _k -centers induced by the pulse of irradiation at T > 280 K. The mechanisms of population of the ground radiative level of the emission center and the structure of its electronic and nuclear subsystems are discussed.     

Systematic study of the relationships between energy levels of Tl(1), Tl centers and the crystalline environment

In this paper, we present the first systematic study of the relationships between energy levels of Tl⁰(1) and Tl²⁺ centers in alkali halides and the crystalline environment by using dielectric theory of chemical bond for complex crystals. It is found that the coordination number of the central ion, the bond volume polarizability, and the fractional covalence of the chemical bond between the central ion and the nearest anion are the three determinative parameters for the absorption band energy. Four empirical formulas are proposed. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental values. The current model can serve as a prediction tool and can be applied to assign the absorption band energy of Tl⁰(1) and Tl²⁺ centers.     

Luminescence of photochromic centers in calcium fluoride crystals doped with Lu3+ ions

We report data on the luminescence spectra associated with photochromic centers in X-ray irradiated calcium fluoride crystals doped with Lu ions. Irradiation in low energy photochromic centers absorption band excites emission, which can be identify with transitions into photochromic centers. Ab initio calculation of absorption spectrum of photochromic center agrees rather well with experimental data.     

Enhanced luminescence of rare-earthTb (III) by Tm (III) in bis(benzoylmethyl) sulfoxide complexes and intra-molecular energy transfer

Rare-earth complexes [(Tb_xTm_y)L₅(ClO₄)₂](ClO₄)·3H₂O(x:y=1.000:0.000, 0.999:0.001, 0.995:0.005, 0.990:0.010, 0.950:0.050, 0.900:0.100, 0.800:0.200, 0.700:0.300; L=C₆H₅COCH₂SOCH₂COC₆H₅) were synthesized and characterized with elemental analysis, infrared spectra (IR) and ¹H NMR. The photophysical properties of these complexes were studied in detail with ultraviolet absorption spectra, fluorescent spectra and lifetimes. The fluorescence spectra and decay curves of complexes indicated that the fluorescence emission intensity was enhanced and the fluorescence lifetime was prolonged by Tm (III), which may be due to the intra-molecular energy transfer between inert rare-earth ions and active rare-earth ions. The complexes showed the best properties when the mole ratio of Tb (III) to Tm (III) is 0.995:0.005. The intensity of fluorescence can be increased to 208%. Additionally, the energy-transfer mechanisms between the ligand and the central Tb (III) ions were discussed.     

用位置灵敏光电倍增管读出的CsI(Tl)探测器

报道了用双维位置灵敏光电倍增管读出的CsI(T1)探测器,其CsI(T1)晶体厚度为10mm,灵敏面积为60mm×60mm.探测器的空间位置分辨为0.81mm(FWHM).用蒙特卡罗的方法对该探测器作了进一步模拟研究,其结果与实际测试的结果很好地一致.     

Fluorescence emission spectrum and energy transfer in Eu and Mn co-doped Ba2Ca(BO3)2 phosphors

Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ co-doped Ba₂Ca(BO₃)₂ phosphors yield two emission bands consisting of green and red components under the excitation of 360 nm, which shows a great potential for white LEDs. Effective energy transfer occurs in Eu²⁺/Mn²⁺ co-doped Ba₂Ca(BO₃)₂ host due to the large spectral overlap between the emission of Eu²⁺ and the excitation of Mn²⁺. The energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ is thoroughly investigated by their excitation, emission and photoluminescence decay behaviors, and is demonstrated to be via the dipole–quadrupole interaction.     

CsI(Tl)闪烁体软X光能量响应的模拟研究

CsI(Tl)闪烁体是X光转换为可见光比较重要的一个部件,在惯性约束聚变中的X 光诊断等方面有着十分重要的应用。通过Geant4软件较为全面地分析了CsI(Tl)闪烁体软X光能量响应,模拟了1~5 keV的软X光入射不同厚度（20,30,50 m）CsI(Tl)的能量沉积谱,探究了粒子之间相互作用的物理过程,并比较了不同能量软X光在不同厚度CsI(Tl)闪烁体中的沉积效率。仿真结果表明,随着CsI (Tl)闪烁体厚度的增加,软X光在CsI (Tl)闪烁体中沉积的能量也逐渐增加,沉积效率与CsI (Tl)闪烁体厚度成正比。模拟研究为选择合适厚度的闪烁体做低能段软X光探测实验做铺垫。     

Luminescence of Pr-doped LiCaAlF6 and LiSrAlF6 crystals

The spectral and kinetic parameters of LiCaAlF₆:Pr and LiSrAlF₆:Pr single crystals are studied at LHeT and room temperature (RT). Photon cascade emission (PCE), i.e., ¹S₀→¹I₆ and ³P₀→³H_j, ³F_j transitions after Pr³⁺ excitation via 4f²→4f 5d absorption results in the conversion of the vacuum ultraviolet photon to two visible photons. The excitation and photoemission spectra as well as decay times have been measured and compared with those for CaF₂:Pr and SrF₂:Pr crystals. X-ray luminescence was measured to study the emission origin from both ¹S₀ and ³P₀ states of Pr³⁺. An intense phosphorescence of LiSrAlF₆:Pr was observed in the visible range after X-irradiation at RT, contrary to LiCaAlF₆:Pr.     

Fast light of CsI（Na） crystals

The responses of different common alkali halide crystals to alpha-rays and gamma-rays are tested in this research. It is found that only CsI(Na) crystals have significantly different waveforms between alpha and gamma scintillations, while others do not exhibit this phenomena. The rise time of the fast light is about 5 ns and the decay time is 17±12 ns. It is suggested that the fast light of CsI(Na) crystals arises from the recombination of free electrons with self-trapped holes of the host crystal CsI. Self-absorption limits the emission of fast light of CsI(Tl) and NaI(Tl) crystals.     

Transient color centers in GGG crystals

Electron pulse induced absorption and their decay kinetics have been investigated in samples of GGG crystals with different starting absorption spectra. It is shown that for all samples there appears a wide transient absorption (TA) band with two maxima in the region 14,000-17,000 v cm m 1 and 22,000-26,000 v cm m 1 . TA decay kinetics measurements in 14,000 v cm m 1 and 22,000 v cm m 1 are two-exponential (with half-time order several tens and several hundreds ns). Analyzing the obtained results, we can suppose that low and high energy TA bands are connected with the F + (or O m ) and F transient color centers (TCC) respectively.