Irradiation effects in CaF2: ZnO nanostructed crystals

Abstract

Effects of β, X, and UV radiation were studied in CaF2: ZnO single crystals in which ZnO was embedded as nanoparticles. Absorption measurements of these crystals showed a steep increase below 250nm and a weak absorption peak at about 310nm. After prolonged β irradiation, additional absorption bands were recorded at 395 and 595nm. The irradiated samples showed during heating several thermoluminescence (TL) peaks. Samples which had been exposed to β-irradiation at RT and subsequently illuminated at LNT with 390nm light showed during re-heating to RT several TL peaks that are attributed to a process of photo-transferred TL (PTTL). Main photoluminescence (PL) emission bands were recorded at 320 and 340nm with excitation maxima near 250 and 300nm. These emission bands were also observed during X-irradiation as well as additional emission bands near 355 and 400nm. In pre-irradiated samples, a 320nm luminescence band could also be excited by 395nm light and is attributed to a process of photostimulation. The stimulation maxima of the OSL and PTTL in the 390nm region are apparently due to the observed absorption band at 395nm induced by the β-irradiation. The fact that some of the same emission bands appeared in the XL, PL, TL and OSL of this crystal indicates that the same luminescence centers are involved in these emissions.