Synthesis of β-Ca₂P₂O₇:Tb³⁺ to gamma radiation detection by thermoluminescence

In this work, luminescent emissions of beta-calcium pyrophosphate doped with terbium ions (β-Ca₂P₂O₇:Tb³⁺) were studied. The Ca₂P₂O₇:Tb³⁺ powders were prepared by precipitation and annealed at 900°C for 2h was applied on the powders to observe the beta phase. Radioluminescence measurements showed emission bands related with ⁵D₃ (⁵D₄)→⁷F_J transitions of Tb³⁺ ions. Three overlapped peaks at 126, 165 and 220°C were observed in thermoluminescence response. A linear TL dose-response in the range of 0.2-10Gy and an acceptable TL reproducibility were showed by the β-Ca₂P₂O₇:Tb³⁺ samples exposed to ⁶⁰Co gamma radiation. The TL glow curves were analyzed by Initial Rise method and Computational Glow-Curve Deconvolution assuming a General Order Kinetic model to evaluate the kinetic parameters related with the TL peaks.