Development of a method for quantitative comparison of the luminance of self-glowing crystals – the basic elements of a low current source

Abstract

This work is devoted to the development of a method for the quantitative comparison of the luminosity of weakly luminous samples, such as self-glowing crystals. A self-glowing crystal is an efficient scintillator, whose self-luminescence is due to the decay of a radioactive isotope introduced into the crystal matrix during its growth. Such crystals can be used as low current sources with a service life of 50 years or more. This technique takes into account the luminescence spectra of the samples under study, the spectral functions of the spectrometer and photodetector. Information on the luminescence spectra of samples can be obtained based on their cathodoluminescence spectra. Thanks to the calculations performed according to this technique, it becomes possible to estimate the optical radiation power of a self-glowing crystal, which can be converted into an electric current using a photodiode. Also, the proposed technique can be applied to assess the luminosities of any materials under the influence of radioactive radiation.