Evidence of Annealed Proton Damage From a ZnS:Mn-Based Phosphor Paint

Abstract

Phosphors are materials that are doped with trace elements that give off visible light when excited. Many phosphors have a ceramic base and can survive and function at high temperatures. Research has shown that the fluorescence decay time can be used to measure temperatures in adverse environments, such as those found in space. Development of space‐based phosphor sensors will depend heavily upon research investigating the resistance of phosphors to ionizing radiation and the ability to anneal damage caused by ionizing radiation. Preliminary results indicate that a consistent increase in the fluorescence decay time after thermal cycling was observed at two measured 3 MeV proton fluences. This “annealing” of proton damage was observed over the entire measured temperature range. The more heavily irradiated ZnS:Mn samples did not have annealed decay times that were as large as those that received lesser radiation fluences.