THERMOLUMINESCENCE OF X-IRRADIATED CASO4-DY PHOSPHORS AND ROLE OF NA2SO4 AS A CHARGE COMPENSATOR

The thermoluminescence of x-irradiated CaSO4: Dy phosphors has been studied for diverse activator concentrations. The concentration-dependence of these phosphors on the increase of glow peak intensities has been found to be remarkable. For higher concentration of dysprosium the concentration quenching effect has been observed. This has been attributed to the resonant transfer of energy from one activator atom to another, bringing the possible migration of energy in a solid, which is likely to get dissipated without luminescence, at the quenching site itself. The effect of irradiation time on the glow peak intensities reveals the initial linearity and a subsequent decrease indicating the possible radiation damage. The role of Na2SO4 as a charge compensator has been studied in detail. An attempt has been made to unravel the type of kinetics involved in the process, by calculating the activation energies by different methods. It has been concluded that the type of kinetics involved in the process is bimolecular. © 1977 the Indian Academy of Sciences.