Nanophosphors and outlooks for their use in ionizing radiation detection

The fundamental properties of nanophosphors determined by their structural state are discussed. The influence of a high concentration of surface trapping centers and quantum confinement effect on the nanophosphor luminescence characteristics is noted. These features determine some new properties, which are important for radiation detection. They include the increase in the luminescence yield under high-dose irradiation and improvement of radiation resistance. The luminescence and dosimetric properties of nanophosphors of different compositions are described. It is noted that nanophosphors show promise as high-dose detectors of ionizing radiation.