Optically stimulated luminescence studies in combustion synthesized Al2O3:C,Cu,P

• A new crystalline Al2O3:C,Cu,P phosphor is developed using combustion synthesis.
• Effect of change in annealing atmosphere on luminescent properties is discussed.
• OSL sensitivity is comparable to that of the commercial alumina.
• Minimum detectable dose of this synthesized phosphor is found to be 0.14 mGy.
• No TL is observed in the synthesized phosphor.

A new Al2O3:C,Cu,P phosphor is developed by the combustion synthesis technique which exhibits entirely different OSL properties as compared to that of the commercial alumina. No thermoluminescence (TL) is observed in this phosphor which also differentiates the present phosphor from the commercially available Al2O3:C (Landauer). The phosphor shows good optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensitivity for ionizing radiation with a fast OSL decay as compared to the commercial Al2O3:C. The phosphor heated in air followed by heating under the reactive atmosphere exhibits maximum sensitivity amongst several other phosphors. On the basis of area integration method; integrated over initial 3 s, the sensitivity of this phosphor is about 67% of that of commercial Al2O3:C.