Thermoluminescence study of persistent luminescence materials: Eu2+- and R3+-doped calcium aluminates, CaAl2O4:Eu2+,R3+
Abstract
Thermoluminescence properties of the Eu2+-, R3+-doped calcium aluminate materials, CaAl2O4:Eu2+,R3+, were studied above room temperature. The trap depths were estimated with the aid of the preheating and initial rise methods. The seemingly simple glow curve of CaAl2O4:Eu2+ peaking at ca. 80 degrees C was found to correspond to several traps. The Nd3+ and Tm3+ ions, which enhance most the intensity of the high-temperature TL peaks, form the most suitable traps for intense and long-lasting persistent luminescence, too. The location of the 4f and 5d ground levels of the R3+ and R2+ ions were deduced in relation to the band structure of CaAl2O4. No clear correlation was found between the trap depths and the R3+ or R2+ level locations. The traps may thus involve more complex mechanisms than the simple charge transfer to (or from) the R3+ ions. A new persistent luminescence mechanism presented is based on the photoionization of the electrons from Eu2+ to the conduction band followed by the electron trapping to an oxygen vacancy, which is aggregated with a calcium vacancy and a R3+ ion. The migration of the electron from one trap to another and also to the aggregated R3+ ion forming R2+ (or R3+-e-) is then occurring. The reverse proce...Continue Reading
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