Tm-Tstop analysis and dosimetric properties of Ce doped BaB4O7 phosphor

Abstract

In this work, the study on gamma ray exposed Thermoluminescence (TL) response in the range 1 Gy–3 kGy has been carried out on BaB4O7:Ce phosphor. Optimization of Ce doping concentrations in BaB4O7 phosphor was done by varying the Ce concentration from 0.5 to 3 mol %. A facile solid-state diffusion method was used to synthesize the phosphor material. Structural and morphological properties were studied using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively, which revealed its monoclinic crystal structure and average particle size of ∼2 μm was observed. Optical characterization was carried out using photoluminescence (PL), which shows a blue color emission band, with maximum intensity at ∼ 450 nm and ∼500 nm. In dosimetric studies, two main peaks in the TL glow curve were observed at 176 °C and 311 °C. The intensities of these peaks found to be increasing linearly with an increase in gamma doses. To know about trap levels, the TL glow curve study was carried out through the activation energy -Tstop method in combination with the Initial Rise Method (IRM). The trapping parameters, Order of kinetics, frequency factor, and Figure of Merit were obtained by Glow Curve Deconvolution (GCD) method. The efficient thermoluminescent properties of BaB4O7:Ce phosphor makes them promising dosimetric phosphor material and provides a gateway for potential medical and radiation dosimetric applications.