Synthesis, thermoluminescence, defect center and dosimetric characteristics of LiF:Mg,Cu,P,Si phosphor.

LiF:Mg,Cu,P,Si (MCPS), a new tissue equivalent phosphor, was synthesized by solid state method. Powder x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope were employed to determine the structural features. The dosimetric characteristics, electron spin resonance (ESR) and defect centers of this newly prepared phosphor were investigated. The MCPS phosphor is highly sensitive when compared with LiF:Mg,Ti and LiF:Mg,Cu,P (MCP), with the TL sensitivity being 35 times and 1.3 times higher respectively. The dosimetric peak occurs at 220°C with a well defined glow curve structure similar to MCP. MCPS phosphor shows a linear dose response till 10Gy. The minimum detectable dose has been found to be 8µGy. The thermal stability of the phosphor could be enhanced by 20°C from 240°C to 260°C when compared to MCP. Defect centers formed in the phosphor by gamma irradiation have been studied by ESR to identify the centers associated with the TL process in this phosphor. Thermal annealing experiments reveal the presence of several defect centers. Center I which shows an isotropic g factor of 2.0233 has been found to relate with the TL peaks at 160°C, 220°C and 265°C. Centers II and III are characterized by isotropic g values of 2.0096 and 2.0019 respectively and are attributed to F centers.

Synthesis, thermoluminescence, defect centers and dosimetric characteristics of LiF:Mg,Cu,B phosphor.

The present paper reports the thermoluminescence (TL), dosimetric characteristics and electron spin resonance (ESR) of LiF: Mg, Cu,B (MCB) phosphor synthesized by a solid state method. Its glow curve structure is similar to that of LiF: Mg, Cu,P (MCP) phosphor with the main dosimetric peak at 218°C. MCB is 12 times more sensitive than LiF: Mg, Ti and about 1.9 times less sensitive than MCP phosphor. A noteworthy feature is that the phosphor exhibits a linear dose response up to 100Gy with a minimum detectable dose of 17µGy. The TL emission spectrum was recorded and the post irradiation fading in MCB at ambient temperatures and humidity was negligible for a period of one month. Room temperature ESR spectrum of irradiated phosphor consists of at least two distinct centers. Center I with an isotropic g factor 2.0061 is attributable to an F-center and is the likely recombination center for the main TL peak at 220°C. Center II characterized by a g-factor 2.0090 and an unusual broad line (linewidth ~ 415G) is also identified as an F-center. A third defect center, observable during thermal annealing at high temperature, is assigned to another F-center.