RBPO5 (R=Ca, Sr)-based storage phosphors for neutron detection

Storage characteristics of RBPO₅ (R=Ca, Sr)-based phosphors have been investigated for neutron detection. To increase the photostimulated luminescence (PSL) yields of CaBPO₅:Ce³⁺ and SrBPO₅:Ce³⁺ phosphors, fluorine atoms were introduced and the molar ratio of the fluorine atoms was optimized for the PSL yields. In addition, the authors found that the PSL yields of SrBPO₅:Eu²⁺ phosphors were significantly increased by adding Li₂B₄O₇, though introducing fluorine and bromine atoms in the phosphor was not effective for the PSL yields. These phosphors will be usable as new neutron storage phosphors with low gamma-ray sensitivity because they consist of light materials.