Thermoluminescence and photoluminescence study on 150 MeV proton beam irradiated K2Ca2(SO4)3:Eu phosphor

This paper investigates the thermoluminescent response of K2Ca2(SO4)3:Eu prepared by solid state diffusion method, to 150 MeV proton beams. The structural confirmation of the sample was done using the XRD technique revealing the polycrystalline nature and the formation of the compound. Samples in the form of pellets were irradiated by 150 MeV proton clinical beams with dose range of 0.1 Gy–300 Gy. Thermoluminescence glow curves of the irradiated samples were recorded and studied. It has been found that the phosphor shows a characteristic single peak at around 420 K. The TL response is linear in the range up to 200 Gy and then becomes supralinear for higher doses. Photoluminescence spectra of the sample have also been studied and reported. When the material was excited at 320 nm, single emission bands were observed at 436 nm, which can be assigned to the transitions between the lowest band of the 4f65d configuration and the ground state 8S7/2 of the 4f7 configuration of Eu2+ ion, confirming the incorporation of the impurity in the prepared sample. The excitation spectra of these samples at emission wavelength of 436 nm show a major band at 320 nm. The linear TL response of K2Ca2(SO4)3:Eu and low fading with good reusability, makes it a potential candidate to be used as a dosimeter for detecting the doses of proton beams for specific applications.

► This study reports the luminescence properties of K2Ca2(SO4)3:Eu to proton beams. ► The paper focuses on the response of the phosphor to proton clinical beams. ► The detector can be used as a good dosimeter for measuring the doses of proton beams. ► Finds an application in cancer treatment and space dosimetry. ► Its good photoluminescence property can be utilized in display devices as well.