Preliminary results on the relationship between luminescence and crystalline structure of lithium metatitanate

Lithium metatitanate is a luminescent ceramic material of promising properties for numerous applications (breeder blanket in fusion reactors, ionic conductors). In some cases, the material will be submitted to aggressive environments (radiation, chemicals, high temperatures), which could induce changes in the crystalline structure. Small variations (presence of inclusions, impurities, or surface) in the lattice of crystalline solids are known to change the light emission behaviour, i.e. intensity and wavelength position of photoluminescence. Li2TiO3 ceramic samples were sintered in the range of 1050 and 1350 °C to modify the high temperature crystalline structure, and then were characterized by means of their cathodoluminescence (CL) and thermoluminescence (TL) properties as a function of total radiation dose and time of storage.