Radiation-induced cathodoluminescent signatures in calcite

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• 作者：Danielle K. Silletti^a ; Sarah A. Brokus^a ; Elly B. Earlywine^a ; Joshua D. Borycz^a ; Graham F. Peaslee^a ; ^{peaslee@hope.edu} ; Paul A. DeYoung^b ; Nickie J. Peters^c ; J. David Robertson^c ; JoAnn Buscaglia^d ; ^{joann.buscaglia@ic.fbi.gov}
• 关键词：Cathodoluminescence ; Calcite ; Neutron irradiation ; Nuclear forensics
• 刊名：Radiation Measurements
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：71_13504487
• 类别：ce
• 出版时间：March, 2012
• 卷：47
• 期：3
• 页码：195-200
• 文件大小：801 K

摘要

At ambient temperatures, a permanent change due to neutron irradiation has been identified in the luminescent properties of the common mineral calcite. Calcite is one of many ubiquitous minerals that are known to exhibit luminescence under electron bombardment, a process known as cathodoluminescence (CL). The UV-Visible spectra of individual calcite grains were measured with CL spectroscopy before and after neutron irradiation. Exposure to neutrons causes additional crystal lattice defects (beyond those naturally-occurring) that leave a permanent, readily-measurable CL signature in the 515聽nm region of the spectrum. Dose response results following irradiation have been measured and a spectroscopic signature is described that increases proportionately to neutron dose. The CL measurements are complicated by a dependence on the orientation relative to direction of excitation. When taken into account, the total dose to the crystal can be estimated, and possibly even the direction of the neutron source can be determined. This signature could potentially be developed into a nuclear forensics tool to help identify locations where special nuclear materials have been stored.