Luminescence emission of natural fluorite and synthetic CaF2:Mn (TLD-400)

The luminescence properties of natural white fluorite indicate that it could be employed as radiation dosimeter similarly to synthetic CaF2:Mn (TLD-400). The cathodoluminescence emission of the natural sample (two maxima) meanwhile TLD-400 (one peak) exhibits a different behaviour associated with the chemical composition. The mineral sample displays (i) a significant UV-blue emission associated with different structural defects (negligible in the synthetic sample) and (ii) a shift of the green emission to higher wavelengths respect to the TLD-400. The green induced TL emission also shows significant differences in intensity (higher in TLD-400) and sensitivity. Both samples display a complex induced green TL glow curve that could not be analysed assuming the model based on the discrete trap distribution. The Tm-Tstop method indicates the presence of close overlapping groups of components linked probably to a continuum in the trap distribution rather than a single trapping level.