Defect complexes in Re3+-doped magnesium sulphate phosphors

Area of Science:

• Solid State Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Luminescence

Background:

• Magnesium sulphate phosphors doped with rare earth elements (RE) and co-dopants (X) are investigated.
• Thermoluminescence (TL) is a key phenomenon for radiation dosimetry and material characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel MgSO4:RE3+,X phosphors.
• To investigate the role of defect complexes in the thermoluminescence properties of these phosphors.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of MgSO4:RE3+,X phosphors (RE = Dy, Tm, Eu; X = P, Mn).
• Experimental studies of thermoluminescence emission spectra.
• Dose response analysis.

Main Results:

• Successful preparation of MgSO4:RE3+,X phosphors.
• Observation of large defect complexes involving intrinsic imperfections and dopants.
• Correlation between defect complexes and TL multi-stage processes.

Conclusions:

• The prepared MgSO4:RE3+,X phosphors exhibit significant defect complexes.
• These defect complexes are fundamental to the thermoluminescence mechanisms.
• A proposed defect model may be applicable to a wide range of thermoluminescent materials.