Gamma-Ray Interaction Characteristics of Transition (Mn2+, Fe3+) and Rare-Earth (Eu3+) Doped YAlO3: Bridging the Photon Attenuation with Thermoluminescent Response
摘要
Gamma-ray interaction with matter is fundamental to radiation protection, nuclear technology, and dosimetric applications. In this study, the gamma-ray attenuation characteristics and thermoluminescent (TL) behaviour of transition metal (Fe3+, Mn2+) and rare-earth (Eu3+) doped yttrium orthoaluminate (YAlO3) phosphors were systematically investigated. The phosphors with composition (Y1−xMx)AlO3 were synthesized using the solution combustion method. Gamma-ray attenuation parameters were evaluated over the photon energy range of 356–1330 keV. Important radiation interaction parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), and mean free path (MFP) were experimentally determined using a narrow-beam transmission setup with a NaI(Tl) detector and compared with theoretical values obtained from XCOM, Phy-X/PSD, and EpiXS software. The results reveal a strong energy dependence of attenuation parameters. The MAC decreases from about 0.105 cm2 g− 1 at 356 keV to 0.052 cm2 g− 1 at 1330 keV, while HVL increases from approximately 4.6–5.0 mm to 9.8–10.2 mm, indicating higher photon penetration at elevated energies. Eu3+- doped YAlO3 shows about 2–3% higher attenuation efficiency than Fe3+ and Mn2+ doped samples due to its higher atomic number. Experimental results agree well with predictions within ± 5%. TL measurements indicate a maximum intensity of about 473 a.u. at 5 mol % Eu-doping, representing an ~ 83% enhancement. The findings demonstrate a clear relationship between photon absorption efficiency and TL response. Although thermoluminescent properties and radiation attenuation characteristics of phosphor materials have been extensively investigated independently, studies exploring the possible correlation between photon interaction parameters and thermoluminescent response in doped YAlO3 phosphors remain limited. This work addresses this gap by systematically correlating gamma-ray interaction parameters with thermoluminescent behaviour. The novelty of the present work lies in the combined experimental and computational evaluation of both thermoluminescent and photon attenuation characteristics within the same YAlO3 host matrix and in assessing the influence of different activator ions on these complementary radiation response mechanisms.