Dosimetric characteristics of manganese doped lithium tetraborate – An improved TL phosphor

Manganese (Mn) doped tissue equivalent Li2B4O7 is synthesized using solid state reaction technique. The glow curve shows a high temperature peak at 250 °C which is highest among all other lithium borate phosphors studied in the literature. Linear dose response is observed up to 10 Gy. Optimum Mn concentration for attaining the optimal thermoluminescence (TL) intensity is determined. The time dependent fading behavior of the TL characteristics has also been investigated and is found to be quite stable over long time duration. Photoluminescence and TL emission spectra are presented. Neutron dose response is found to be 25% of that of TLD-600. The current solid state synthesis route is found to result in non-hygroscopic and low-fading phosphor as compared to other preparation techniques.

► Li2B4O7:Mn polycrystallineTL phosphor has been synthesized by solid state reaction is found to be non-hygroscopic and chemically stable.
► The main dosimetric peak occurs at a higher temperature and is found to exhibit negligible fading behavior upon storage.
► The response of this phosphor is linear up to a dose range of 10 Gy.
► With regard to its applicability to neutron dosimetry, the TL sensitivity is found to be comparable with that of TLD-100.
► Because of its promising dosimetric properties Li2B4O7:Mn could be one of the materials for personnel and medical dosimetry.