Thermoluminescence properties of isostructural K2YF5 and K2GdF5 crystals doped with Tb3+ in response to a, b and X-ray irradiation

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section B, Beam interactions with materials and atoms Vol. 268; no. 20; pp. 3344 - 3350
• Main Authors: Hanh, Huynh Ky, Khaidukov, Nicholas M, Makhov, Vladimir N, Quang, Vu Xuan, Thanh, Nguyen Trong, Tuyen, Vu Phi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 15.10.2010
• Subjects: Crystal structure; Crystals; Emission spectra; Glow curves; Irradiation; Phosphors; Thermoluminescence; X-rays
• ISSN: 0168-583X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2010.06.041

The thermoluminescence (TL) properties of isostructural fluoride K2YF5 and K2GdF5 crystals doped with Tb3+ of different concentrations have been studied in the temperature range from 30 to 500AC after a, b and X-ray irradiation. Strongly different structures of TL glow curves following a or b irradiation have been found for Tb3+ doped K2YF5 for all studied concentrations of Tb3+ whereas for K2GdF5 crystals the different TL curves after a or b irradiation are detected only for heavily doped samples. On the other hand, all the studied materials show similar TL glow curves after b or X-ray irradiation. It has been discovered that K2YF5 doped with 1 at.% Tb3+ has TL radiation sensitivity to b irradiation of the same order as that of the well known TLD-100 (LiF:Mg,Ti) phosphor and much higher sensitivity to a irradiation. The TL mechanism in K2YF5 and K2GdF5 doped with Tb3+ is discussed by taking into account the TL emission spectra from irradiated samples, which are identical to the emission spectra of the Tb3+ ions in these hosts under photo-excitation, and the kinetics parameters obtained with the method of various heating rates.