Thermoluminescence Spectra of Rare-Earth Doped Calcium Fluoride

Abstract

This study investigates the thermoluminescence (TL) emission spectra of various doped CaF₂ materials after exposure to ionizing radiation. The understanding of the TL spectra of these single-doped materials, systematically produced under the same sintering conditions, contributes to the interpretation of complex TL spectra observed in naturally occurring fluorite crystals. The production of Ce³⁺, Tm³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Er³⁺, Pr³⁺, Nd³⁺, and Yb³⁺ doped calcium fluoride was carried out using the combustion synthesis method. The emission spectrum lines could be ascribed to the RE transitions that occur when a trapped hole center recombines with a RE²⁺. Emissions range from the ultra-violet to the near-infrared. This study aids in tailoring new materials for specific applications and the matching of emitted light to specific filters and instrumentation used for detection.