TL and OSL properties of KAlSi3O8:Mn, obtained by sol–gel process

Thermoluminescence (TL) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) properties of KAlSi3O8:Mn glasses obtained through the sol–gel technique were investigated. Samples were obtained with five different molar concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 mol% of manganese. Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM) indicated the occurrence of nanoparticles composed by glass matrix elements with Mn. Best results for TL response were obtained with 0.5 mol% Mn doped sample, which exhibits a TL peak at 180 °C. The TL spectrum of this sample presents a broad emission band from 450 to 700 nm with a peak at 575 nm approximately. The emission band fits very well with the characteristic lines of the Mn2+ emission features. According to this fact, the band at 410 nm can be ascribed to 6A1(S) → 4A1(G), 4E(G) transition, while the 545 nm band can be attributed to the superposition of the transitions 6A1(S) → 4T2(G) and 6A1(S) → 4T1(G). The dependence of the TL response with the energy of X-rays (27–41 keV) showed a small decrease of the TL intensity in the high energy region. Excitation with blue LEDs showed OSL in the UV region with a fast decay component.

► In this study the Thermoluminescence (TL) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) properties of KAlSi3O8:Mn glasses obtained through the sol–gel technique were investigated.
► Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM) indicated the occurrence of nanoparticles composed by glass matrix elements with Mn.
► The studied samples were obtained with five different molar concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 mol% of manganese.
► Best results for TL response were obtained with 0.5 mol% Mn doped sample, which exhibits a TL peak at 180 °C.
► The TL spectrum of this sample presents a broad emission band from 450 to 700 nm with a peak at 575 nm approximately.
► Excitation with blue LEDs showed OSL in the UV region with a fast decay component.