Thermoluminescent properties of sol-gel-produced (MgO)x:(SiO2)y compounds

In this work we present the results on synthesis of sol-gel produced compounds containing SiO2 and MgO in different stoichiometric proportions. Tetraethoxy silane (TEOS), magnesium acetate, and dysprosium nitrate were used as precursors. After hydrolysis of TEOS in ethanol solution the other precursors dissolved in ethanol were added. After several hours the gelation process occurred, and transparent glass was formed. Subsequent heating at temperatures up to 1050°C led to formation of compounds containing SiO2 and MgO: enstatite and forsterite. We checked the formation of relevant phases by means of X-ray powder diffraction. Thermoluminescent properties of the obtained compounds were checked after doping them with dysprosium ions. Linear response of thermoluminescent properties on gamma irradiation was found, but the sensitivity of phosphors obtained in this way was rather moderate comparing with other well known thermoluminescent phosphors.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.