Electron-hole recombination luminescence in LiYF4 : U4+

摘要

Photoluminescence (PL), photostimulated luminescence (PSL), thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies were carried out on LiYF4: U4+ and pure LiYF4 crystals. The PL and EPR investigations have identified the presence of Eu3+, Tb3+ and Gd3+ ions in both of these crystals possibly due to their existence in the starting materials. The luminescence observed during afterglow, PSL and TSL revealed that emission occurs at wavelength positions 382, 413, 437 and 544 nm, which are characteristic of Tb3+ ions. The present investigations using PSL and TSL in combination with PL studies before and after gamma irradiation have revealed that selective energy transfer to Tb3+ ions occurs during electron-hole recombination processes like PSL and TSL. Even though other luminescent ions (U4+ and Eu3+) are present in the system and U4+/U3+ ions are participating in electron capture/release processes, the selective energy transfer results in Tb3+ ions acting as luminescence centers. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [References: 16]