Thermally stimulated luminescence studies in combustion synthesized polycrystalline aluminum oxide

Synthesis of materials by combustion technique results in homogeneous and fine crystalline product. Further, the technique became more popular since it not only saved time and energy but also was easy to process. Aluminum oxide phosphor was synthesized by using urea as fuel in combustion reaction. Photoluminescence (PL) and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) characteristics of γ-irradiated aluminum oxide samples were studied. A broad PL emission with a peak at ∼ 465 nm and a pair of strong and sharp emissions with peaks at 679 and 695 nm were observed in γ-rayed samples. The PL intensity was observed to increase with increase in γ-ray dose. Two prominent and well resolved TSL glows with peaks at 210°C and 365°C were observed in all γ-irradiated Al2O3 samples. The TSL intensity was also found to increase with increase in γ-ray dose. The TSL glow curves indicated second order kinetics.