Optical, Dosimeter, and Scintillation Properties of MgB2

Abstract

The optical, dosimeter, and scintillation properties of MgB 2 were investigated for the first time. MgB 2 was visibly black and showed 0.1-0.2% optical transmittance of wavelengths longer than 200 nm. Under 280 nm excitation, an intense luminescence peak appeared around 500 nm with a fast decay time of 8.8 ns. The temperature dependence of photoluminescence was examined in the range from 5 to 290 K, and the 500 nm band disappeared at low temperatures. To evaluate dosimeter properties, the thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) glow curve and the linearity between the TSL intensity and the X-ray irradiation dose were examined. As a result, MgB 2 was found to exhibit good dosimeter properties. Finally, as a scintillation response, the X-ray-induced scintillation spectrum was evaluated and the emission peak at 470 nm was observed with a fast decay time of 11 ns.