Temperature dependence of persistent luminescence in β-irradiated SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor

SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ is a phosphor characterized by a long persistent luminescence (PLUM) when excited with UV–vis light and ionizing radiation exhibiting intensity variation in the 10–320 K temperature range and maximum intensity around 320 K. In this work, we study the PLUM behavior of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ as a function of temperature from room temperature to 670 K in samples exposed to β irradiation. The room-temperature irradiation followed by PLUM readout revealed an integrated PLUM maximum at 323 K decreasing later. In contrast, irradiation and PLUM readout at temperatures above room temperatures produced integrated PLUM intensities maxima around 425 and 625 K. Successive cycles of preheating followed by irradiation and PLUM readout produced an increasing of the PLUM intensity as a function of cycle number. The observed phenomenon was ascribed to trapped electrons at the multiple trapping states related to the 425 and 625 K defects levels and electron transfer from one trap to another (electron hopping). Eventually, there is a return to the 5d level of Eu3+ cations with the characteristic PLUM emission by thermal energy supplied at room temperature (lattice vibrations) or by a preheating–irradiation-readout cycle. This property may allow keeping up the PLUM properties of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphors through background radiation self exposure and adequate heating processes.