A Tb and Ag co-doped borate compound forms a high sensitive X-ray, gamma-ray and neutron luminescence dosimeter

Space, radiotherapy, X-ray imaging/screening, nuclear reactors, large research facilities (linear accelerators and synchrotron radiation facilities) and nuclear accidents are all examples associated with the need for monitoring high-energy radiation. Herein, we report the luminescent and dosimetric properties of a radiation sensitive phosphor based on CaB6O10:Tb3+,Ag+ compounds. The operation principle here is the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), which is the luminescence of a previously irradiated material under optical stimulation. The phosphor presented strong UV-OSL under blue stimulation (a minimum detectable dose of 2.3 mu Gy), with dose linearity in the whole dose range analysed (30 mGy-20 Gy) and no signs of saturation. The thermoluminescence (TL) of the phosphor featured mainly a peak at 275 degrees C, whose trapping center was shown to be associated with the main OSL component. Furthermore, the TL emission is dominated by Tb3+ emission lines (main emission at 541 nm). Overcoming the main limitation of the commercial Al2O3:C phosphor, OSL was observed after neutron irradiation. Besides reporting the luminescent and dosimetric properties of a novel neutron sensitive OSL phosphor obtained through a low-cost synthesis method, this work sheds light on how lanthanide and silver ions influence the charge trapping and radiative processes in borate compounds.

Automated summary

This article reports the luminescent and dosimetric properties of a radiation sensitive phosphor based on CaB6O10:Tb3+,Ag+ compounds. The phosphor exhibited strong UV-OSL under blue stimulation, with a minimum detectable dose of 2.3 mu Gy. It also showed dose linearity in the whole dose range analyzed and no signs of saturation. The study also sheds light on how lanthanide and silver ions influence the charge trapping and radiative processes in borate compounds.