Thermoluminescence investigations of sol-gel derived and γ-irradiated rare earth (Eu and Nd) doped YAG nanophosphors

Nanocrystalline YAG doped with Eu3+ and Nd3+ has been synthesized by a sol-gel technique. The prepared nanophosphors were calcined and characterized by XRD, SEM. The XRD analysis revealed well-defined cubic phase. Electron microscopy showed spherical morphologies with an average size of 15-20 nm. The thermoluminescence (TL) properties of as prepared nanophosphors were investigated after γ-irradiation using 60Co source at room temperature. It has been found that there is a prominent TL glow peak at 290-295 °C for the as prepared doped samples. The TL glow curve showed variation in TL peak intensity as the concentration of dopant is changed. Kinetic data and trap depth for the synthesized samples were calculated by a peak shape method. It has been found that TL response is nonlinear in the range 0.29-1.16 kGy. This paper discusses about the optimal doping concentration of Eu and Nd in YAG nanophosphors.