Abstract

Subject of study. The thermoluminescence of sapphire and alumina ceramic samples nanostructured by CO₂ laser radiation is studied. The aim of the study is to investigate the possibility of increasing the thermoluminescent response by using laser radiation to modify the surface of polycrystalline and single-crystal aluminum oxide. Method. The surfaces of the research samples were irradiated at various scan speeds by a CERTON 3020 ULTRA CO₂ CW laser operating at a wavelength of 10.6 µm. Ultraviolet irradiation of the samples was carried out using a low-pressure mercury lamp and a 230–240 nm bandpass filter. The results of laser surface treatment of the samples were measured using optical and infrared Fourier spectroscopy, photoluminescence, thermoluminescence, X-ray phase analysis, and scanning electron spectroscopy. Main results. Laser treatment of the samples studied was found to produce F-centers and their derivatives at increased concentrations. The effect of laser processing modes on the thermoluminescent response was determined. Practical significance. Laser treatment of the surface of dosimetric materials with CO₂ laser radiation was shown to enhance the thermoluminescent response of monocrystalline and polycrystalline alumina, thereby enabling the development of dosimeters with a lower dose-detection threshold. The technique developed herein can be used in the production of TLD-500k dosimeters.

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