Thermoluminescence of terbium-doped double fluorides

This paper presents the thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics of the double fluorides: K2YF5, K2GdF5 and K2LuF5 doped with Tb3+, which were studied in the temperature range from 30 to 400 °C. Materials which presented better response to the irradiation with beta particles and with ultraviolet radiation were: K2YF5:Tb (1 at.% Tb3+) and K2LuF5:Tb (1 at.% Tb3+); meanwhile, K2YF5:Tb at high concentrations (10 and 20 at.% Tb3+) as well as K2LuF5:Tb (1 at.% Tb3+) and K2LuF5:Tb (1 at.% Tb3+) presented good response to gamma radiation. The intensity of the thermoluminescent response induced in these materials by ionizing radiation has determined that their dosimetric characteristics should be studied further as this may allow the development of potentially useful TL materials for radiation dosimetry.