Thermoluminescence dosimetric attributes of Yb3+-doped BaO-ZnO-LiF-B2O3 glass material after Er3+ co-doping

Motivated by our previous study on Sm3+ ions as thermoluminescence (TL) sensitizers to the BaO-ZnO-LiF-B2O3-Yb2O3 glass system, in the current study we examined the effect of Er3+ ion co-doping on the TL characteristics of this glass system. The 4f-4f electronic transitions of the Er3+ and Yb3+ ions were confirmed via the optical absorption spectrum. Notably, the use of Yb3+-Er3+ ions failed to improve the TL intensity, sensitivity, and trap density. However, they enabled the glass system to function as an activator-quencher system. The linearity range and effective atomic number remained unaffected after co-doping. In addition, the problem of anomalous fading caused a remnant signal of just 58% after a week of storage of the Yb3+ monodoped glass. This was resolved by the optimum co-doping of Er3+ ions to achieve an 89% signal. The co-doping of Er3+ ions to the BaO-ZnO-LiF-B2O3-Yb2O3 glass system regulated its thermal stability and therefore supplemented its potential for radiation monitoring in food processing and retrospective dosimetry.

Automated summary

In this study, the effect of Er3+ ion co-doping on the TL characteristics of the BaO-ZnO-LiF-B2O3-Yb2O3 glass system was examined. It was found that co-doping enabled the glass system to function as an activator-quencher system, improving the TL intensity and solving the issue of anomalous fading.