Thermoluminescence dosimetric attributes of Yb³⁺‐doped BaO–ZnO–LiF–B₂O₃ glass material after Er³⁺ co‐doping

Abstract

Motivated by our previous study on Sm 3+ ions as thermoluminescence (TL) sensitizers to the BaO-ZnO-LiF-B 2 O 3 -Yb 2 O 3 glass system, in the current study we examined the effect of Er 3+ ion co-doping on the TL characteristics of this glass system. The 4f-4f electronic transitions of the Er 3+ and Yb 3+ ions were confirmed via the optical absorption spectrum. Notably, the use of Yb 3+ -Er 3+ ions failed to improve the TL intensity, sensitivity, and trap density. However, they enabled the glass system to function as an activator-quencher system. The linearity range and effective atomic number remained unaffected after co-doping. In addition, the problem of anomalous fading caused a remnant signal of just 58% after a week of storage of the Yb 3+ monodoped glass. This was resolved by the optimum co-doping of Er 3+ ions to achieve an 89% signal. The co-doping of Er 3+ ions to the BaO-ZnO-LiF-B 2 O 3 -Yb 2 O 3 glass system regulated its thermal stability and therefore supplemented its potential for radiation monitoring in food processing and retrospective dosimetry.