Optically and thermally stimulated luminescence characteristics of LaAlO₃:Pr³⁺ beta irradiated

This paper reports on an investigation into the thermally stimulated luminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) characteristics of novel luminescent phosphor. A new Pr³⁺-doped, lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO₃)-based luminescent phosphor is developed. Samples of LaAlO₃:Pr³⁺ were irradiated to beta doses, in air, from 0.1Gy up to 50Gy and then were analyzed using both TL and continuous wavelength OSL (CW-OSL) techniques to determine their luminescent characteristics. This phosphor shows a TL glow curve, after its irradiation to beta radiation, with two TL peaks: one located around 160°C and a second at 300°C. CW-OSL response presented a fast decay into the first 20s of blue light stimulation. TL and CW-OSL response as a function of beta radiation dose were linear in the studied dose range. The high sensitivity of the CW-OSL and TL response will make this phosphor suitable for beta radiation detection. Finally, the kinetic parameters of activation energy, frequency factor and kinetic order were analyzed in the TL response using computerized glow curve deconvolution based on general order kinetic model.