Characterization of the optical and thermoluminescent properties of amazonites.

Abstract

Most minerals (silicates, carbonates, phosphates, etc.) exhibit the property of luminescent emission. This feature opens possibilities for studies of materials with potential application in luminescent dosimetry of ionizing radiation; specifically in areas of retrospective, accident and dating dosimetry. Within this context, the research of natural materials becomes a topic of social and economic interest, since, in addition to its application in the area of dosimetry, it can be a lower cost alternative when compared to synthetically produced detectors. In view of this, this project aims to characterize the luminescent properties of the mineral amazonite (KAlSi3O8) - a microline variety of feldspar - using thermoluminescence (TL) and optical absorption techniques in the UV-Vis (AO) region. From the TL emission curve it is possible to obtain important kinetic parameters for prospecting the material in dosimetry and from the AO analysis it is possible to study the mineral absorbing centers. Furthermore, chemical and structural characterizations, such as Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) will be applied to complement the study. It is expected to identify the defects that promote the luminescence of amazonite and verify its potential for study in retrospective and/or environmental dosimetry.