Dosimeter properties of Ce-doped MgO transparent ceramics

We have investigated thermally-stimulated luminescence (TSL) and photo-stimulated luminescence (PSL) properties of MgO transparent ceramic doped with different concentrations of Ce ion (0.001%, 0.01% and 0.1%), together with the photoluminescence (PL) and scintillation properties. The transparent ceramic samples were fabricated by a Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) method. The measurable PL signal was only detected for the 0.001% Ce doped MgO peaking around 480 nm. From decay constants of the PL emission, it was confirmed that this peak was due to the 5d-4f transitions of Ce³⁺ ion. In the scintillation spectrum of Ce-doped MgO, a broad emission was detected which can be deconvoluted by three Gaussian bands peaking at 330, 406 and 480 nm. TSL glow curve of all the samples showed a main dosimetric peak at 140 °C. The TSL signal was confirmed to respond linearly to irradiation dose over the dose range from 0.1 to 1000 mGy. Furthermore, the 0.001% Ce doped MgO showed not only TSL but also PSL.