Photoluminescence measurements of LiF TL detectors

The properties of standard lithium fluoride (LiF) thermoluminescent (TL) detectors, which are routinely used in radiation protection systems, were investigated under light stimulation. The luminescence of different types of LiF detectors, which were irradiated with gamma rays of energy up to 300 Gy and alpha particles with a fluence up to 5*109 cm−2, were stimulated by a blue light and were heated up to temperature of 240 °C or 400 °C, depending on the type of detectors. The irradiated LiF detectors during the blue-light (460 nm) stimulation emit green photoluminescence (PL) with a wavelength of 530 nm. The LiF detectors showed a PL effect of much higher efficiency after they were irradiated with alpha particles than after they were irradiated with gamma rays. However, in contrast to PL, the TL readout showed a significantly lower efficiency of LiF detectors after alpha particle irradiation. These effects result from the different trap mechanisms that are responsible for TL and PL phenomena. The temperature stability of the traps responsible for the PL effect for both types of LiF detectors was studied. ► Photoluminescence readouts of LiF detectors performed in a pulsed mode improved signal readability. ► First measurements of PL signal of LiF as a function of traps emptying temperature. ► Traps emptying temperature in PL effect depends on detector type and cumulated dose.