Thermoluminescence dosimetry features of DY and Cu doped SrF2 nanoparticles under gamma irradiation

Abstract

Dy and Cu-doped SrF₂ nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by using co-precipitation method and their possible application to solid state dosimetry were studied and compared to that of pure SrF₂ NPs. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) were used for sample characterization. The highest thermoluminescence (TL) response of SrF₂:Dy and SrF₂:Cu NPs were found respectively at 0.5 and 0.7 mol% of Dy and Cu impurities. Seven overlapping glow peaks at 384, 406, 421, 449, 569, 495, 508 K and three component glow peaks at 381, 421 and 467 K were identified respectively for SrF₂:Dy and SrF₂:Cu NPs employing T_m–T_stop and computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) methods. The TL sensitivity of SrF₂:Dy is approximately the same as that of LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) cheeps. Linear dose response were observed for the SrF₂:Dy and SrF₂:Cu NPs up to the absorbed doses of 1 kGy and 10 kGy correspondingly. Regarding other dosimetry characteristics of the produced NPs such as fading, reproducibility and thermal treatment, Dy and Cu doped SrF₂ NPs recommend for high dose TL dosimetry applications.