Synthesis and thermoluminescence of dysprosium-doped Li₂B₄O₇ glass

Lithium borate, Li₂B₄O₇, doped with dysprosium (Dy) was prepared by assisted-dissolution method using water or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or assisted by alumina as fondant material. Dysprosium was added at different concentrations [0.5, 1.0 mol%]. The Li₂B₄O₇ samples were exposed to different beta doses (0.5 – 100 Gy) in a Lexsyg Research reader. The glow curve structure of the lithium borate was complex when the Dy-doped lithium borate was added at any dopant concentration by using DMSO. Dy dopant may create a continuous distribution trap in the material. A linear dose-response up to 100 Gy and a high fading were observed. The first intense glow peak at 74-98°C induced the fast decay of the thermoluminescence signal during fading due to the shallow traps in the band gap. The kinetic parameters were analyzed by the Initial Rise Method with an acceptable value of activation energy. Results show that lithium borate glass can improve its performance for radiation dosimetry. Acknowledgment: The support of PAPIIT-DGAPA-UNAM group project IG102223 is gratefully acknowledged. (author)