Fabrication, properties and thermo-luminescent dosimetric application of CaF2:Mn transparent ceramic

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section B, Beam interactions with materials and atoms Vol. 287; pp. 51 - 55
• Main Authors: Singh, S.G., Sen, Shashwati, Patra, G.D., Bhattacharya, S., Singh, A.K., Shinde, Seema, Gadkari, S.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15-09-2012
• Subjects: CaF2; Dosimeter; Optically transparent ceramic; Photoluminescence; Dosimeter; CaF2; Optically transparent ceramic; Photoluminescence
• ISSN: 0168-583X; 1872-9584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2012.06.002

An optically transparent ceramic of CaF2:Mn has been prepared by hot pressing of nano-phase powders under vacuum conditions. The transmission recorded for a 1mm thick sample at 800nm was about 50%. A scanning electron micrograph exhibited a pore-free structure without any secondary phases at the grain boundaries. The doping concentration of Mn and its oxidation state as determined using secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy were 1.5at.% and Mn2+, respectively. The photo-luminescence properties of these ceramics were studied and their application as a thermo-luminescent dosimeter has been established. These ceramics were able to measure low level doses down to about 3mGy and exhibited a linear output up to 100mGy.