Using Exotic Materials Like EuD4TEA and MgD4TEA to Monitor Damage and Radiation Exposure in Extreme Environments

Abstract

Space radiation poses a significant challenge to exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As we consider long duration space missions, the risk from radiation exposure increases. There is no simple technique that is capable of real-time radiation detection. Past research shows that the fluorescence yield and decay time are both functions of temperature and radiation fluence. Each of these parameters need to be investigated separately in order to fully understand the physical properties for any useful phosphor. Once the temperature dependencies are known, then the radiation fluence in the surrounding environment can be estimated. This paper will discuss recent research on europium and magnesium tetrakis dibenzoylmethide triethylammonium (EuD4TEA and MgD4TEA) that could be used to measure radiation and temperature in real time. Both of these organic materials have been shown to be sensitive to proton radiation and to changes in temperature.