Thermoluminescence dosimetric attributes of Yb -doped BaO-ZnO-LiF-B O glass material after Er co-doping.

Motivated by our previous study on Sm ions as thermoluminescence (TL) sensitizers to the BaO-ZnO-LiF-B O -Yb O glass system, in the current study we examined the effect of Er ion co-doping on the TL characteristics of this glass system. The 4f-4f electronic transitions of the Er and Yb ions were confirmed via the optical absorption spectrum. Notably, the use of Yb -Er 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 monodoped glass. This was resolved by the optimum co-doping of Er ions to achieve an 89% signal. The co-doping of Er ions to the BaO-ZnO-LiF-B O -Yb O glass system regulated its thermal stability and therefore supplemented its potential for radiation monitoring in food processing and retrospective dosimetry.