Role of impurities in the thermoluminescence of LiF:Mg,Cu,P

The thermoluminescent properties of lithium fluoride doped with magnesium, copper and phosphorus are reviewed. This material shows specific advantages over LiF (TLD-100) in that is has higher sensitivity, less energy dependence and no supralinear behaviour with dose. However, it suffers from an irreversible loss in sensitivity when heated above 270 deg. C. Possible causes for this loss in sensitivity are discussed and experimental results are shown that indicate potential roles for the Cu, P and O impurities in this process. The present work focuses on the understanding of the impurity contents, inclusions, cluster formation and valence changes in this material by using differential scanning calorimetry and glow discharge mass spectroscopy. This research concludes that phosphorus inclusions are formed and a valence change of the Cu ions occurs after annealing above 270 deg. C, which degrades the TL sensitivity of LiF:Mg,Cu,P phosphors. It is also shown that a high content of oxygen in the material and control of the oxygen content during processing are critical to maintaining the sensitivity of these phosphors. (author)