Optically stimulated luminescence and radiophotoluminescence in NaMgF3:Eu nanoparticles

Optically stimulated luminescence and radiophotoluminescence were observed in NaMgF 3 :0.1%Eu nanoparticles synthesised via a hydrothermal technique. X-ray irradiation created F-centres, and subsequent optical stimulation at 420 nm released the electrons and electron-hole recombination produced Eu 2+ emissions. The integrated optically stimulated luminescence intensity was linear up to 180 Gy. Photoluminescence was observed from Eu 2+ and Eu 3+ valences, whereas optically stimulated luminescence only occurred via the Eu 2+ sites. X-ray irradiation also resulted in Eu 3+ → Eu 2+ and O 2− → O − radiophotoluminescence effects, where the luminescence intensity ratio, RPL Eu 2 + / RPL O 2 − , indicated a large detection range (>1 kGy). The observation of optically stimulated luminescence in lanthanide-doped near tissue-equivalent NaMgF 3 nanoparticles has potential applications including as high spatial resolution two- and three-dimensional dosimeters for radiotherapy dose verification and validation. Radiophotoluminescence from oxygen-related centres and Eu is advantageous because it can provide a record of the dose history as well as an additional measure of the dose. • Polydispersed NaMgF 3 :0.1%Eu nanocuboids synthesised via the hydrothermal technique. • Photoluminescence was observed from Eu 2+ and Eu 3+ valences and O 2- -related centres. • Eu 3+ .→ Eu 2+ and O 2− → O − radiophotoluminescence effects after X-ray stimulation. • First observation of optically stimulated luminescence in NaMgF 3 :Eu nanoparticles.