Study of the Phase Changes in ZnS-Based Phosphors Crystal Structure Impact on Their Radioluminescent Performances

To improve the radioluminescence performances of ZnS-based phosphors various thermal and non-thermal methods have been tested to control the phase composition and structure. Particle surface and size and phase composition of phosphors are significantly affected either by treatment of the initial batches with high-energy electron flow and nitrogen plasma or by changes in atmosphere of synthesis. The correlations between phosphors phase content and their spectral radioluminescent characteristics have been established in ZnS:Cu, Br phosphors. The electron-beam treatment (EBT) of the initial charge and the ready phosphor forms the mixed sphalerite-wurtzite phosphor structure and increases the brightness of radioluminescence by 80%. Designed laboratory prototypes of solid-state radioluminescent light sources (SRLS) turned to be as effective as industrial gas-filled RLS, but considerably more compact.