Efficient Generation of Stable Sm2+ in Nanocrystalline BaLiF3:Sm3+ by UV- and X-Irradiation

In recent decades, storage phosphors have found widespread applications in the fields of dosimetry and computed radiography due to their impressive properties, including large dynamic ranges and passive storage modalities. Despite this success, further development of highly efficient X-ray- and UV-sensitive luminescent materials is still desirable, in particular for applications in dosimetry. In this article, we report X-ray and UV storage properties of nanocrystalline barium lithium fluoride (BaLiF₃) doped with Sm³⁺. Nanocrystalline BaLiF₃:Sm³⁺ was prepared mechanochemically by ball milling and the resulting product was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The response of the phosphor to X-ray and UV radiation was investigated by measuring room temperature photoluminescence spectra before and after irradiation for a wide range of doses. The lifetime of the Sm²⁺ emission at 694 nm was determined for both the X-ray and UV irradiated powder samples. The results indicate a potential for Sm³⁺-activated nanocrystalline BaLiF₃ to be used in dosimetry applications.