Nanorods of LiF:Mg,Cu,P as Detectors for Mixed Field Radiations

Nanocrystalline powder of LiF: Mg,Cu,P phosphor has been synthesized by the chemical coprecipitation technique. Shape and size of these nanomaterials were observed by transmission electron microscope and atomic force microscope. The particles are of rod shapes having diameters from 50 to 80 nm and lengths varying within the range 0.4-0.7 mum. Pellets of these nanorods were irradiated by 48 MeV⁷Li³⁺ ions at different fluences in the range 1times10¹¹-1times10¹⁴ ions/cm² (with corresponding doses in the range 0.679-679 kGy) and their thermoluminescence (TL) properties have been studied. The TL glow curves are observed to have prominent peaks at around 588 K along with smaller one at around 410 K. The TL intensity of the former is found to increase with increasing the fluence, while that of the latter decreases. These behaviors are in contrast with those of the peaks induced by ¹³⁷Cs gamma-rays. This modification in case of irradiation by ion beam has been attributed to the change in population of the luminescent/trapping centers due to the use of highly energetic ions. From these results, it is suggested that the nanorods of LiF:Mg,Cu,P might be used as detectors for mixed fields radiations such as space radiations.