Enhanced thermoluminescence intensity, stability, and sensitivity of the Yb3+ doped BaO–ZnO–LiF–B2O3 glass by Sm3+ co-doping

Abstract We report for the first time the Thermoluminescence (TL) enhancement of intensity, stability, and sensitivity of a novel Yb3+ doped BaO–ZnO–LiF–B2O3 glass host by Sm3+ co-doping. The optimum co-doping of Sm3+ ions to the Yb3+ optimum doped glass intensified the TL counts by 6 times and that of the undoped glass by 157 times. This was reasoned to the increment in the trap density. The kinetic parameters signified the restructuring role of Sm3+ ions by creating deeper traps with higher lifetimes and activation energies. This was beneficial in enhancing the stability of the Yb3+ doped glass by minimizing the thermal fading after a week from 42% to 10%. The co-doping also enhanced the sensitivity and lowered the threshold dose. The results present the perspective of Sm3+ ions as TL activators. The TL dosimeter characteristics of the co-doped glass were favorable for its potential application in γ-environment (0.25–1 kGy) and food irradiation.