Trap level analysis of Ce3+ and Sm3+ in Li6Y(BO3)3

Abstract

Abstract The polycrystalline compounds of Li6Y(BO3)3: Ce3+ and Sm3+ co-doped polycrystalline samples were prepared by using standard solid state reaction method. The energy levels of the doped lanthanide ions (Ce3+ and Sm3+) in the borate host materials were investigated by Thermoluminescence (TL) glow peak analysis. The co-doped samples, exhibits the TL peak at higher temperature region around 511 K whereas the Ce3+ individually doped sample has peak around 433 K. The X-ray excited emission spectra were carried out for all the prepared samples and found the characteristic emission bands. The trap depths (E) were calculated by using several standard methods, namely peak shape method or chen's (PS), variable heating rate (VHR), initial rise (IR) and computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD). The mean activation energy of the co-doped samples found to be 1.21 (0.07±) eV and the frequency factor around 1.38 × 1011 Sec−1. The calculated trap depths and the predicted energy level values were compared and found in good agreement. This primarily results suggest that the energy level scheme can help in the development of new TL materials suitable in dosimetry.