Structural and optical effects induced by gamma irradiation on NdPO4: X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and luminescence study

Abstract

Rare earth orthophosphate (NdPO4) monazite single crystals were grown using high temperature flux growth method employing K6P4O13 (K6) as molten solvent. Their structural parameters were studied using single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The grown crystals were examined by SEM and EDX techniques for their homogeniousity and inclusion in the crystals. The influence of gamma irradiation in structural and optical absorption properties were studied by the powder XRD, FTIR and reflectance spectroscopy. The effect of gamma irradiation on luminescence properties was recorded. No significant structural change is observed up to 150kGy gamma dose. The gamma ray induced charge trap in the crystal was saturated to 40kGy dose. The luminescence intensity decreases with an increase in the irradiation. The emission of luminescence intensity stabilizes above 40kGy gamma dose.