LITHIUM FLUORIDE CRYSTALS AS FLUORESCENT NUCLEAR TRACK DETECTORS

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2018 Feb 1;178(3):337-340. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncx116.

Abstract

Radiophotoluminescence signal of LiF crystals was found to be sufficiently strong to visualize tracks of a single charged particle. This was achieved with a wide-field fluorescent microscope equipped with a ×100 objective and LiF single crystals grown with the Czochralski method at IFJ PAN. The tracks of alpha particles, protons, as well as products of 6Li(n,α)3H reaction with thermal neutrons (moderated Pu/Be source), were observed. These encouraging results are the first steps towards practical use of LiF as fluorescent nuclear track detectors. The most promising dosimetric application seems to be neutron measurements.

MeSH terms

  • Alpha Particles
  • Fluorides / chemistry*
  • Lithium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Luminescence
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Neutrons
  • Protons
  • Radiometry / methods*

Substances

  • Lithium Compounds
  • Protons
  • lithium fluoride
  • Fluorides