Luminescence properties of 100Â MeV W8+ ion irradiated GdCa4O(BO3)3:Eu3+ and GdCa4O(BO3)3:Tb3+ phosphors

Present study is about the optical properties of 100 MeV W8+ ion irradiated europium and terbium doped gadolinium oxyborate phosphors namely Gd0.9Ca4O(BO3)3:Eu0.1 and Gd0.9Ca4O(BO3)3:Tb0.1. These phosphors were synthesized through solid state reaction technique. The powder X-ray diffraction spectra confirm the formation of monoclinic phase. Bright radioluminescence have been observed during ion irradiation from these phosphors. The radioluminescence become intense initially and started reducing with irradiation time. The Raman spectra of pristine and ion irradiated phosphors have been recorded and analyzed. The photoluminescence spectral intensity show enhancement for low fluence (1x1011 ions/cm2) irradiated phosphors compared to that of pristine. The Gd0.9Ca4O(BO3)3:Eu0.1 phosphor samples emitted red light when 325 nm laser strikes them, but Gd0.9Ca4O(BO3)3:Tb0.1 samples exhibited bright white light emission. This unusual white light emission has been analysed using photoluminescence spectra. The surface morphological changes of the phosphors due to 100 MeV W8+ ion beam have been studied using field emission scanning electron microscope. The elemental composition of the phosphors has been confirmed using EDX spectra. Thermoluminescence spectra have been recorded and their kinetic parameters were calculated.