Temperature response and thermoluminescence of SrI2:Eu²⁺ single crystals

Single crystal of strontium iodide doped with 1% europium (SrI₂: 1% Eu²⁺) was grown by Vertical Gradient Freeze technique. Temperature response and thermoluminescence glow curves of SrI₂: 1% Eu²⁺ were studied. UV excitation spectrum of SrI₂: 1%Eu²⁺ at 298 K shows a broad excitation peak at 367 nm. At ~24 K, additional excitation peaks appear in the range of 265 nm and 285 nm. UV excited emission spectra were measured as a function of temperature. Results indicates the thermal quenching of Eu emission starts from ~400 K. The thermoluminescence curve indicates the elimination of the charge trap at 50 K may significantly expedite the scintillation process thus decrease the scintillation decay time of SrI₂:Eu.