Synthesis, photoluminescence, thermoluminescence and dosimetry properties of novel phosphor Zn(BO2)2:Tb

Polycrystalline powder samples of terbium doped Zn(BO2)(2) phosphors were prepared by solid state reaction in the thermal carbon reducing atmosphere at high temperature. The photoluminescence (PL), three-dimensional (3D) TL emission spectrum and dosimetric characteristics following Co-60 gamma-rays irradiation were studied. Characteristic emission bands of Tb3+ at about 490, 543, 584 and 620 nm, attributed to the D-5(4) -> F-7(J), (J = 3, 4, 5, 6) transitions of Tb3+ ions, were observed in the TL and PL emission spectrum. No emission from Tb4+ ions was observed in the TL emission spectrum. The TL-dose response of the powder samples Zn(BO2)(2):Tb to Co-60 gamma-rays radiation in the dose range from 1 to 100 Gy for clinical dose levels was almost linear. The experiment results showed that Zn(BO-I)2:Tb has potential use as the materials of gamma-rays thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) for clinical dosimetry.