Synthesis of β-Ca2P2O7:Tb3+ to gamma radiation detection by thermoluminescence

Abstract In this work, luminescent emissions of beta-calcium pyrophosphate doped with terbium ions (β-Ca 2 P 2 O 7 :Tb 3+ ) were studied. The Ca 2 P 2 O 7 :Tb 3+ powders were prepared by precipitation and annealed at 900 °C for 2 h was applied on the powders to observe the beta phase. Radioluminescence measurements showed emission bands related with 5 D 3 ( 5 D 4 )→ 7 F J transitions of Tb 3+ ions. Three overlapped peaks at 126, 165 and 220 °C were observed in thermoluminescence response. A linear TL dose-response in the range of 0.2–10 Gy and an acceptable TL reproducibility were showed by the β-Ca 2 P 2 O 7 :Tb 3+ samples exposed to 60 Co gamma radiation. The TL glow curves were analyzed by Initial Rise method and Computational Glow-Curve Deconvolution assuming a General Order Kinetic model to evaluate the kinetic parameters related with the TL peaks.