Photostimulated luminescence in alkali halides induced by excitation with ionizing radiation

Abstract The photostimulated luminescence (PSL) phenomenon induced in copper-doped sodium chloride (NaCl:Cu) and europiumdoped potassium chloride (KCl:Eu) phosphor crystals by excitation with ionizing radiation such as X-rays is studied. The emission mechanism of the PSL in both phosphor crystals is discussed in terms of the recombination of electrons optically stimulated from the radiation-induced F centers with the luminescence centers such as Cu 2+ in NaCl and Eu 3+ ions in KCl. The potentiality of both phosphor crystals as a material for two-dimensional X-ray imaging sensors utilizing the PSL phenomenon is also discussed.