Dosimetric properties of ZrO2 and ZrO2:Sm3+ exposed to beta rays

Abstract

This work investigates thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) properties of ZrO2 and ZrO2:Sm3+ (1 mol%) synthesized by solution combustion method. XRD measurement suggested that both the samples exhibit monoclinic phase. The average crystallite size measured using scanning electron microscopy is found to be ~ 60 nm. TL glow curve of ZrO2 had a prominent peak at 429 K and a less prominent (or smaller) peak at 510 K. On the other hand, ZrO2:Sm3+ had a broad glow peak at 460 K. TL glow curve intensity of all the peaks is found to increase linearly with beta dose (upto 16.4 Gy) for both samples. TL Trapping parameter are analyzed after deconvolution of TL glow curves using CCDA method. The recombination sites of glow peaks are investigated through TL emission spectrum. The 429 K peak show a band at 500 nm is attributed due to oxygen vacancies. Continuous Wave–OSL measurements (CW-OSL) suggests a linear increase in the intensity with beta dose for both samples. The decay curves are deconvoluted by using general order kinetics. CW–OSL decay curve has shown two components contributing to the OSL signal. The photoionization cross sections of ZrO2 and ZrO2:Sm3+ for two components are found to be 1.187 × 10−16, 6.255 × 10−18 and 1.303 × 10−16, 8.842 × 10−18 cm2 respectively. Linearly Modulated - OSL (LM-OSL) of ZrO2 exhibit broad peak and it is deconvoluted into 4 peaks. These results suggests the possibility of choosing suitable activator for development of new TL dosimeters.