Luminescent Properties of Cerium Doped Potassium Iodide Single Crystals in Response to γ-irradiation.

Abstract

Potassium iodide doped with cerium ions were prepared by Bridgemann Stockbarger technique and investigated by optical absorption, Photoluminescence(PL), Thermoluminescence(TL), Photostimulated Luminescence(PSL) and TL emission. The optical absorption measurement indicates that F and V centers are formed in the crystals during the γ-ray irradiation process. Optical absorption and Photoluminescence studies confirm the presence of cerium ions in the trivalent state. Spectral distribution under the Thermoluminescence Emission(TLE) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence(OSL) support the idea that the defect annihilation process to be due to thermal release of F-electron in KI:Ce(3+) crystals. Both Ce(3+) and Ce(2+) emissions were observed in the Thermoluminescence emission of the crystals. Thermoluminescence(TL) has been identified to be due to thermal release of electron produced during colouration process.