Photoluminescence, Scintillation, and Thermally Stimulated Luminescence Properties of Eu-doped Al2O3 Single Crystals.

The photoluminescence (PL), scintillation, and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) properties of Eu-doped (0.01, 0.1, and 1%) Al₂O₃ single crystals grown by the floating zone method were investigated systematically. The PL of the samples showed several sharp emission peaks across 550-750 nm originating from the 4f-4f transitions of Eu³⁺ and the 3d-3d transitions of Cr³⁺ impurity ions. The scintillation spectrum of the samples showed a broad emission peak at 320 nm due to the F+ center and an emission peak at 700 nm due to the 3d-3d transitions of Cr³⁺ impurity ions. All the samples showed TSL glow peaks at around 200, 320, and 375 °C. The TSL intensity of the 1% Eu-doped sample was the highest among the present three samples, and the TSL response was proportional to the irradiated X-ray dose in the range from 10 to 1000 mGy. The Eu-doped Al₂O₃ single crystal could be a novel candidate for personal dose monitoring applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]