Study on TL and OSL characteristics of indigenously developed CaF2:Mn phosphor

CaF₂:Mn phosphor is known for its high thermoluminescent sensitivity and dose linearity up to few kGy. In the present study CaF₂ phosphor with different concentration of Mn dopant was prepared and was characterized through different techniques. The phosphor was prepared through chemical root using CaCO₃, HF acid and MnCl₂ as raw materials following co-precipitation method. TL sensitivity of the prepared phosphor was compared with other well established phosphors used for radiation dosimetry. It was found that the TL sensitivity is higher by a factor of 10 with respect to LiF:Mg, Ti, TLD-100 and half to that of CaSO₄:Dy (0.05 mol%) phosphor. X-ray diffraction, TL emission spectrum and ESR spectrum taken of the prepared phosphor confirms the crystal structure, Mn²⁺ emission and incorporation Mn in the crystal, respectively. No significant fading of the dosimetric peak was observed of the prepared phosphor for a storage period of 45 days. The dose linearity of the phosphor was found to be in the range of 50 Gy-3 kGy within an uncertainty of about 10%. An attempt was made to determine the kinetic parameters of TL glow curve and the parameters related to optically stimulated luminescence. In view of its long range of dose linearity, it can be used for the dosimetry of commercial irradiator generally used for the irradiation of food and grains in our country.