Infrared luminescence and thermoluminescence of lithium borate glasses doped with Sm³⁺ ions

Thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics of X-ray irradiated pure and doped with Sm³⁺ ions Li₂O-MO-B₂O₃ (where MO=ZnO, CaO, CdO) glasses have been studied in the temperature range of 303 to 573 K. All the pure glasses exhibited single TL peaks at 382 K, 424 K and 466 K. When these glasses were doped with Sm³⁺ ions no additional peaks have been observed but the glow peak temperature of the existing glow peak shifted gradually towards higher temperatures with gain in intensity of TL light output. The area under the glow curve was found to be maximum for Sm³⁺ doped glasses mixed with cadmium oxide as a modifier. The trap depth parameters associated with the observed TL peaks have been evaluated using Chen’s formulae. The possible use of these glasses in radiation dosimetry has been described. The results clearly showed that samarium doped cadmium borate glass has a potential to be considered as a thermoluminescence dosimeter.