Optically stimulated luminescence and radiophotoluminescence in NaMgF3:Eu nanoparticles

Optically stimulated luminescence and radiophotoluminescence were observed in NaMgF3:0.1%Eu nanoparticles synthesised via a hydrothermal technique. X-ray irradiation created F-centres, and subsequent optical stimulation at 420 nm released the electrons and electron-hole recombination produced Eu2+ emissions. The integrated optically stimulated luminescence intensity was linear up to 180 Gy. Photoluminescence was observed from Eu2+ and Eu3+ valences, whereas optically stimulated luminescence only occurred via the Eu2+ sites. X-ray irradiation also resulted in Eu3+ → Eu2+ and O2− → O− radiophotoluminescence effects, where the luminescence intensity ratio, RPLEu2+/RPLO2−, indicated a large detection range (>1 kGy). The observation of optically stimulated luminescence in lanthanide-doped near tissue-equivalent NaMgF3 nanoparticles has potential applications including as high spatial resolution two- and three-dimensional dosimeters for radiotherapy dose verification and validation. Radiophotoluminescence from oxygen-related centres and Eu is advantageous because it can provide a record of the dose history as well as an additional measure of the dose. [Display omitted] •Polydispersed NaMgF3:0.1%Eu nanocuboids synthesised via the hydrothermal technique.•Photoluminescence was observed from Eu2+ and Eu3+ valences and O2--related centres.•Eu3+ .→ Eu2+ and O2− → O− radiophotoluminescence effects after X-ray stimulation.•First observation of optically stimulated luminescence in NaMgF3:Eu nanoparticles.