Experimental and theoretical insights into Ce3+-doped optical fiber luminescence mechanisms under X-rays

In this paper, we present a combined experimental and theoretical approach allowing the analysis of the joint processes of radioluminescence (RL), phosphorescence (PP), and fibered thermoluminescence (FTSL) during and after exposure of a Ce 3+ -doped optical fiber to X-rays. The experimental study shows that the integrated signal originating from the three processes is temperature independent for cumulated dose at least up to 300 Gy(SiO 2 ). A theoretical model was used to fit the emission signal data, explaining the physical processes at stake and allowing the extraction of the trapped carriers’ populations. Furthermore, on the applicative side, replacing FTSL with optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) also leads to an integrated signal linearly dependent as a function of dose rate and without dependence on the temperature of irradiation. Those results open perspectives for temperature-independent real-time emission dosimetry through a highly flexible, reliable and sustainable fibered optical setup. • Ce 3+ -doped silica glasses were fabricated using sol-gel process. • Emission signals were measured under X-rays. • A theoretical model was developed to reproduce these optical signals. • The dosimetry response is real-time and temperature-independent.