Tailoring of thermoluminescent properties and assessment of trapping parameters of natural fluorite samples from Dogargaon fluorite mines, India

Abstract

Mineral fluorite or fluorspar (CaF 2 ) can host significant quantities of trivalent REE 3+ (rare earth element) by substitution with divalent Ca 2+ . The fluorites associated with carbonatites are often REE-rich compared to those derived from sedimentary, hydrothermal, or Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) fluorites. The naturally occurring fluorites have several industrial applications one of which is for luminescence. Whether or not REE enriched, the fluorite makes an ideal host for REEs, which are very important phosphors. The naturally occurring fluorites are available in sufficient quantities to cater to the industrial demand. Investigations have been carried out on the fluorites from active fluorite mines at Dongargaon in central India. Thermoluminescence behavior of a natural fluorite sample was investigated using a Nucleonix TL 1009I thermoluminescence reader. Multiple traps formed in the broad thermoluminescent (TL) glow curve were found by TL anal deconvolution software. Trapping parameters for all multiple traps formed on deconvoluting broad TL glow curve were found by different methods like Initial rise method, Chen's Peak shape method and Ilich method.