Optimization of an experimental TL protocol for discriminating the recombination pathways

Area of Science:

• Solid State Physics
• Materials Science
• Luminescence Dating

Background:

• Stimulated luminescence phenomena are crucial for material characterization and dating applications.
• Understanding electron recombination pathways (localized, de-localized, semi-localized) is key to interpreting luminescence signals.
• Existing protocols may not fully elucidate the complex recombination dynamics in all materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate an altered protocol for in-depth analysis of stimulated luminescence mechanisms.
• To examine electron recombination pathways and trapping parameters in MgB4O7: Dy, Na (MBO) and BeO$_{R}$.
• To determine if the protocol can reveal transitions between different recombination mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of a novel experimental protocol involving specific heating treatments.
• Utilizing prompt isothermal decay (PID) measurements following preheating under high doses.
• Validation through peak shape methods (PSM), initial rise (IR), and PID deconvolution.

Main Results:

• The new protocol effectively determines recombination pathways for both MBO and BeO$_{R}$.
• A transition between recombination mechanisms was observed exclusively in BeO$_{R}$.
• MBO was confirmed to possess two distinct excited states (trap energy levels).

Conclusions:

• The developed protocol is a valuable tool for studying stimulated luminescence recombination mechanisms.
• The protocol successfully differentiates recombination pathways and reveals mechanistic transitions in specific materials like BeO$_{R}$.
• This research enhances the understanding of charge carrier dynamics in dosimetric materials.