Fundamentals of Physics of Scintillators and Phosphors

Garant předmětu:

Martin Nikl

Lecturer:

Martin Nikl

Tutor:

Supervisor:

Department of Dosimetry and Application of Ionizing Radiation

Synopsis:

Electronic band structure of solids, interaction of X, gamma and beta rays and particle beams with solids, principle of scintillation. Energy levels in forbidden gap. Luminescence centers and traps for charge carriers. Absorption and luminescence processes, energy transfer, quenching. History of scintillator and phosphor development. Main characteristics and parameters. Technology basics. Examples of applications.

Requirements:

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Band structure of solids, wide band-gap dielectric materials, periodicity of structure, crystals, ceramics, glasses.

2. Interaction of X- and gamma rays and accelerated particles with wide band-gap solids: photoeffect, Compton scattering, pair production. Interaction of charged particles and neutrons. Principle of scintillation: stages of conversion, transport and luminescence. Difference between scintillator and phosphor.

3. Energy levels in forbidden gap, their origin and significance. Two basic groups: luminescence center and charge traps.

4. Material excitation by absorption processes and its de-excitation by luminescence ones. Absorption and luminescence spectra and luminescence decay. Energy transfer and quenching processes and mechanisms.

5. History of scintillation and phosphor materials development and their specifications. Main characteristics and parameters and how to measure them.

6. Technology basics: preparation of scintillators and phosphors. Single crystals, optical ceramics, glassceramics and glasses.

7. Examples of applications of scintillators and phosphors.

Syllabus of tutorials:

Study Objective:

Knowledges:

Principles of scintillation. Energy levels in forbidden gap. Luminescence centers and traps for charge carriers. Absorption and luminescence processes, energy transfer, quenching. History of scintillator and phosphor development.

Skills:

Good orientation in scintillator and phosphorus materials, and its properties.

Study materials:

Note:

Time-table for winter semester 2023/2024:

Time-table is not available yet

Time-table for summer semester 2023/2024:

Time-table is not available yet

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Jaderné inženýrství - Aplikovaná fyzika ionizujícího záření (elective course)