Fabrication, properties and thermo-luminescent dosimetric application of CaF2:Mn transparent ceramic

An optically transparent ceramic of CaF2:Mn has been prepared by hot pressing of nano-phase powders under vacuum conditions. The transmission recorded for a 1 mm thick sample at 800 nm was about 50%. A scanning electron micrograph exhibited a pore-free structure without any secondary phases at the grain boundaries. The doping concentration of Mn and its oxidation state as determined using secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy were 1.5 at.% and Mn2+, respectively. The photo-luminescence properties of these ceramics were studied and their application as a thermo-luminescent dosimeter has been established. These ceramics were able to measure low level doses down to about 3 mGy and exhibited a linear output up to 100 mGy.