On the temperature dependence of the phosphorescence of CaF2 : Mn phosphor in different atmospheres

The temperature dependence inthe region of 24–150°C of the phosphorescence of CaF₂ : Mn phosphor in the atmospheres of nitrogen gas, vacuum and moisture-saturated air were studied. A decay formula was found to adequately describe the rate of decay of the trapped electrons — which is assumed to be proportional to the amount of phosphorescence observed — in thermal traps. In nitrogen gas and vacuum the decay constants of the trapped electrons are dependent only on the storage temperature and not on the storage atmosphere of the phosphor. A slight effect of water on the rate of decay of the trapped electrons was also observed.