Comparative study of LiF:Mg,Cu,Na,Si and Li2B4O7:Cu,Ag,P TL detectors

Recently, two new types of 'tissue equivalent' thermoluminescent detectors (TLDs) have aroused attention: LiF:Mg,Cu,Na,Si and Li2B4O7:Cu,Ag,P. In this work the characteristics of both detectors were compared with the characteristics of the well-known type LiF:Mg,Ti detector, TLD-100. The following properties were investigated: the glow curve structures, relative sensitivity, batch homogeneity and uniformity, detection threshold, reproducibility of the response, linearity in the wide dose range and fading. Also, the energy dependence for medium and low energy X rays was determined in the range of mean energies between 33 and 116 keV. The results confirmed 'tissue equivalency' of both new types in the investigated range of photon energies. LiF:Mg,Cu,Na,Si detector has very high sensitivity (approximately 75 times higher than that of TLD-100) and is convenient for use in a very low range of doses. Li2B4O7:Cu,Ag,P detector shows some improvements in comparison with the previously prepared types of lithium borate. The most important is the five times higher sensitivity than that of TLD-100. This detector is also very promising, especially in medical dosimetry.     

Thermal neutron response of the Li2B4O7:Cu TL dosimeter

A measurement of the thermal neutron response of the Li₂B₄O₇:Cu TLD has been conducted. The results obtained using the Panasonic UD-806 dosimeter and UD-854A holder yield a free-in-air response of 3.3±0.1 R ⁶⁰Co equivalent per mSv of thermal neutrons. A thermal neutron response of over 7 R ⁶⁰Co equivalent per mSv was observed when the dosimeter was irradiated on water phantoms. The high sensitivity may result in a substantial overestimate of the gamma dose equivalent if the TLD is used in a mixed neutron and gamma environment of unknown ratio. Measurements of the Li₂B₄O₇:Cu glow curve, TL saturation curve and the thermal neutron response dependence of the dosimeter filtration thickness are also presented.     

The thermoluminescence efficiency of Li2B4O7:Cu and of CaSO4:Tm for photons

The intrinsic thermoluminescence (TL) efficiency of a TL detector relates the absorbed dose in the detector material to the light yield observed upon evaluation. Knowledge of the TL efficiency is of interest when performing numerical simulations of detector response, where only absorbed dose can be predicted. Here, the experimental determination of TL efficiency for calcium sulphate (CaSO(4):Tm) and lithium borate (Li(2)B(4)O(7):Cu) is reported. These materials are widely used in Panasonic dosemeter badges. The results of the study are in agreement with predictions from track structure theory and microdosimetry, relating an enhanced light yield at low X-ray energies to supralinear behaviour of the TL phosphor.     

Excited state characteristics of the Li2B4O7 and KLiB4O7 glasses activated by Cr3+ ions

The excited state characteristics by means of the excited state absorption (ESA), optical gain and bleaching spectra have been measured for prototype glasses with Li₂B₄O₇ (LBO) and KLiB₄O₇ (KLBO) compositions activated by Cr³⁺ ions. The work addressed to search for novel attractive media for broadband lasers and amplifiers, is a completion of detailed spectroscopic evaluation described in earlier papers. One of the examined materials (KLBO), in accordance with optimistic comments given in previous work, reveals a very broad gain spectrum in the near IR, which itself is interesting in view of very few reports on glasses showing optical gain for Cr³⁺ ions in the low-field local environment. The ESA/gain/bleaching spectra, registered with equipment of improved sensitivity, have been reproduced by calculations, and detailed single configuration coordinate diagram, based on experimental data, has been created for interpretation.     

Neutron flux measurements with a Li2B4O7 crystal

The effect of neutron irradiation on a lithium tetraborate (Li₂B₄O₇, LBO) single crystal has been investigated. The crystals of high optical quality are found to be quite stable under high neutron fluence. This study shows that LBO crystals can be used as a proportional counter for neutron fluxes of the order 10⁹ cm⁻² s⁻¹ and higher. The detectors fabricated were found to have a sensitivity of ∼3×10⁻¹⁸ A (nv)⁻¹.     

Radiation-stimulated point defects in Li2B4O7 single crystals

Using thermally stimulated luminescence, optical absorption, and x-ray crystallographic analysis methods, it is established that oxygen vacancies appear near Li ions in lithium tetraborate single crystals after the crystals are irradiated with (Sr:Y)-90 β particles with dose 7×10⁵ Gy and that these vacancies are capable of trapping one or two electrons, which are freed at temperatures 565 and 630 K, respectively. It is shown that hole localization on oxygen ions, joining triply and quadruply coordinated boron ions near Li vacancies, and freeing of the holes at 414 K are possible. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 25, 78–83 (September 12, 1999)     

Influence of Ag2SO4 addition on the electrical conductivity of the Li2O:B2O3 system

Glasses in the Li₂O:B₂O₃:Ag₂SO₄ system were prepared with varying silver sulphate contents. From the present results it can be said that the amorphous matrix accepts Ag₂SO₄ up to 5 mol% without any devitrification. The enhancement in conductivity with change in the structure of metaborate glass is due to Ag₂SO₄.     

Effects of Ag/Cu substitution in YBa2Cu3O7 superconductors

We have substituted up to ca. 2 at.% of the Cu in orthorhombic YBa₂Cu₃O₇ by Ag. This substitution leads to a wider temperature range for the resistive transition to the superconducting state and a decrease in the fraction of the sample that is superconductive, as compared to the Ag-free material. Introduction of up to ca. 1.5 at.% Ag causes a slight lattice expansion. Higher nominal levels of Ag bring about the formation of additional phases, which, however, still show zero resistance, albeit at lower temperatures. We use solid state chemical arguments to infer that Ag substitutes for Cu in the CuO₄ chains of the structure, in which case our results suggest that optimal superconducting behaviour is obtained when these chains are intact.     

Li2B4O7材料制备及性能的研究

采用Cz法生长出优质的Li2B4O7(LBO)单晶 ,开展了压电性能及应用的研究,同时用Maker条纹测量了晶体的二次谐波系数d31 和d33.用温梯法制备了LBO微晶玻璃,开展了热激发电子发射(TSEE)性能的研究.     

Li2B4O7:Eu3+荧光体的合成及表征

利用Li₂B₄O₇作为基质,掺杂稀土元素Eu³⁺,在空气中合成了Li₂B₄O₇:Eu³⁺荧 光体.探讨了体系的烧结条件,分析了晶体结构,并研究了该体系的荧光性质.结果表明,体 系中同时存在着[BO₄]和[BO₃]结构;稀土离子Eu3+的发光以电偶极跃迁⁵D₀-⁷F₂为主,处 于非中心对称的格位上,并且可以很好地存在于基质中.     

Multipass configuration to achieve high-frequency conversion in Li2B4O7 crystals

A multipass configuration for second-harmonic generation of Nd:YAG laser radiation is demonstrated to produce, for the first time to the authors' knowledge in twin lithium tetraborate crystals, as much as 21% conversion efficiency even though the effective nonlinear coefficient of the crystal is as low as 1/6th that of KDP. Apart from crystals that have large walk-off angles, low effective nonlinear coefficients, or both, the simple experimental setup would also be quite suitable for those crystals, especially infrared crystals, that have large effective nonlinear coefficients but low laser damage thresholds.     

Synthesis and optical characterization of LiKB4O7, Li2B6O10, and LiCsB6O10 glasses

In the current work we report on the synthesis of LiKB(4)O(7), Li(2)B(6)O(10), and LiCsB(6)O(10) borate glasses. The results for their piezo-optic, acousto-optic, acoustic, elastic, refractive, optical transmission, and optical resistance properties are also presented. It is shown that some of these glasses represent efficient acousto-optic materials that are transparent down to the vacuum ultraviolet range and highly resistant to laser radiation.     

The influence of post-exposure heating on the stability of MCP-N (LiF:Mg,Cu,P) TL detectors

Post-exposure annealing of highly sensitive LiF:Mg,Cu,P (MCP-N) detectors, at 100 degrees C over 10 or 20 min prior to readout, is usually recommended for routine dosimetry. The purpose of this anneal is to eliminate low-temperature peaks, especially peak 3, which fades at room temperature in about 3 months. However, as this annealing procedure does not entirely eliminate peak 3, 10% of its thermoluminescent (TL) signal still being readable, a fading correction must be applied. The aim of this work was to optimise the conditions of post-exposure treatment, i.e. its temperature and duration, in order to facilitate the use of MCP-N detectors in routine dosimetry. MCP-N detectors were annealed in standard conditions, i.e. at 240 degrees C over 10 min and exposed to a dose of 5 mGy (137Cs). For post-exposure annealing, six different temperatures between 100 degrees C and 150 degrees C and two time periods (10 and 20 min) were tested. TL glow curves were deconvoluted with the GCA code. A post-exposure anneal at 120 degrees C over 10 min was found to be optimal. Heating at this temperature eliminates 100% of the TL signal of peak 3, while maintaining the area and maximum intensity of the main peak 4 unchanged. In this case, no fading correction needs to be applied. Annealing at higher temperatures, up to 150 degrees C, results in a loss of peak 4 signal, and is therefore not recommended.     

Phase evolution,characterization, and impedance spectroscopic analysis of nanocrystalline SrBi2Nb2O9 in glassy Li2B4O7 matrix

Transparent glass composites in the system (100 - x) Li2B4O7 - x SrBi2Nb2O9 (where x = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30, in molar ratio) were fabricated by conventional melt-quenching technique. The amorphous nature of the as-quenched glass composites was confirmed via X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) studies. Differential thermal analyses (DTA) established the glassy nature of the as-quenched samples. Glass nanocomposites (GNC's) with high-optical transparency were obtained by controlled heat-treatment of the glass composites at 750 K/6 h. Perovskite SrBi2Nb2O9 (SBN) phase formation through an intermediate fluorite phase was confirmed by XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The dielectric constant (epsilon r) in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 40 MHz at room temperature increases whereas dielectric loss (D) decreases with increase in SBN content in Li2B4O7 glass matrix. Impedance spectroscopy employed to rationalize the electrical behavior of the as-quenched glasses and glass nanocomposites suggests the coexistence of electronic and ionic conduction in these materials. The optical transmission and band-gap energy of these composites were found to be crystallite size dependent.