In this work, initially the radioluminescence (RL) and thermoluminescence (TL) techniques are presented. The radioluminescence is the prompt luminescence emitted by a material under ionizing radiation exposure. The thermoluminescence is the luminescence emitted by a material previously exposed to ionizing radiation when excited by heat. Enegy bands concepts, defects in crystals and the different processes of ionization that take place in matter when exposed to ionizing radiation are briefly discussed in order to present the mechanisms involved in RL and TL processes. The usage of the techniques in characterization of materials and dosimetry is reported, legitimating the importance of the instrument developed. Mechanical and structural parts as well as a description of each component of the instrument are fairly described. The implemented algorithm for controlling the instrument and acquiring data is also discussed. The development of the instrument enabled us to generate temperature ramps with a quite good performance, reaching temperatures up to 500 °C with deviations up to 2 °C, having used heating rates between 0.5 °C/s and 5 °C/s. Calibrations of optical spectrometer used in light collection and irradiation system were carried out. Lastly, TL and RL spectra tests were performed. The RL tests were carried out using several materials which emission spectra are well known by literature, namely, carbon-doped aluminium oxide Al2O3:C, terbium-doped gadolinium oxysulphide Gd2O2S:Tb, europium-doped yttrium oxide Y2O3:Eu and dysprosium-doped calcium borate CaB6O10:Dy. For the TL spectra test, the aluminium oxide doped with carbon Al2O3:C was used. The results of RL and TL spectra tests showed a good agreement with the literature, pointing out that the instrument developed in this work is comparable to others instruments in operation from others research groups, making our results reliable. / Nesse trabalho, inicialmente as técnicas de radioluminescência (RL) e termolumi- nescência (TL) são apresentadas. A radioluminescência é a luminescência imediata emitida por um material quando exposto à radiaçao ionizante. A termoluminescência é a luminescência emitida por um material previamente exposto à radiação quando este é aquecido. Conceitos de bandas de energia, defeitos em cristais e os diferentes processos de ionização que ocorrem na matéria quando exposta à radiação ionizante são brevemente discutidos a fim de apresentar os mecanismos envolvidos na RL e TL. A utilização das técnicas na caracterização de materiais e na dosimetria é reportada, justificando a importância do instrumento desenvolvido. As partes mecânicas/estruturais e uma descrição de cada componente do instrumento são descritos. O algoritmo implementado para controle do instrumento e aquisição de dados é também descrito. O desenvolvimento do instrumento possibilitou a geração de rampas de temperatura com uma boa performance, atingindo até 500 °C com variações de até 2 °C ao utilizar taxas de aquecimento entre 0.5 °C/s e 5 °C/s. Calibrações do espectrômetro óptico utilizado na aquisição da luminescência e do sistema de irradiação foram executadas. Por fim, testes de aquisição de espectros de RL e TL foram realizados. Os testes de RL foram realizados utilizando vários materiais cujos espectros de emissão são bem conhecidos pela literatura, a saber, óxido de alumínio dopado com carbono Al2O3:C , oxisulfeto de gadolínio dopado com térbio Gd2O2S:Tb , óxido de ítrio dopado com európio Y2O3:Eu e borato de cálcio dopado com disprósio CaB6O10:Dy. Para o teste dos espectros de TL, o Al2O3:C foi utilizado. Os resultados dos espectros de RL e TL mostraram concordância com a literatura, indicando que o instrumento desenvolvido é comparável a outros instrumentos em operação de outros grupos, tornando os nossos resultados confiáveis.

Dans ce travail de thèse, nous avons étudié l'effet des rayonnements ionisants (rayons X et γ) jusqu'à une dose maximale de 1 Grad sur différents types de fibres multimodes (dopées -P, -P-Ce, -Ge, -Ge-F, -Ge-Ce et -N). Les caractérisations ont été réalisées principalement avec trois techniques expérimentales : online Atténuation Induite par Radiation en temps réel (RIA), Résonance Paramagnétique Electronique (EPR), Micro-Luminescence (ML). Dans la première partie du travail de cette thèse, nous avons étudié la réponse aux radiations de différents types de fibres optiques. L'absorption liée aux défauts du phosphore induits par irradiation a été étudiée par des mesures RIA dans le domaine spectral UV-Visible. Les mesures EPR nous permis de détecter les défauts POHC, P1 et P2. En particulier, pour la détection de P1 et P2, nous avons utilisé le mode de détection de la seconde harmonique pour déterminer la cinétique de croissance des P1 et P2 en fonction de la dose. Nous avons également étudié les effets dus au changement des conditions de fibrage et ceux liés à la variation de la température d'irradiation (25-280 ° C). Nous avons aussi étudié l’effet du codopage du coeur de la fibre avec du Cérium. Dans ce cas, nous avons observé une production moins importante de centres POHC et P2 sous irradiation. De plus, les mesures EPR ont montré que la génération des défauts P1 n’est pas sensiblement influencée par le codopage avec le Cérium. En ce qui concerne les fibres optiques dopées Ge, on a étudié trois types de dopage : Ge seul, co-dopage Ge-F et Ge-Ce. Pour chaque type, nous avons examiné trois conditions de fibrage. La réponse à l’irradiation de ces fibres a été étudiée par les trois techniques utilisées. Plus particulièrement la ML, nous a permis d'obtenir une vision plus complète du rôle du codopant et des précurseurs dans la formation des défauts induits par l'irradiation. Nous avons également étudié la réponse au rayonnement de la fibre dopée N avec trois différentes conditions de fibrage. Les réponses à l’irradiation dans les régions spectrales UV-visible ont été obtenues par des mesures RIA. Par EPR, nous avons pu détecter deux défauts liés à l'azote pour les doses élevées de radiation. Enfin, les mesures ML sur les fibres irradiées ont montré trois bandes d'émission dans le visible qui ont été attribuées clairement à des centres émetteurs liés à l'azote. Dans la deuxième partie de la thèse, nous avons étudié les effets liés au chargement en oxygène des fibres étudiées. Par des mesures en microspectroscopie Raman, nous démontrons qu'un traitement à haute température et haute pression peut favoriser l’introduction d’une grande quantité de O2 dans les fibres optiques à cœur de silice pure (PSC) ou dopées F, Ge ou P. Les réponses à l’irradiation de certaines des fibres optiques chargées en O2 ont été étudiés (et en particulier PSC et celle dopée F. Sur la base des données de la littérature, nous avons effectué les décompositions des spectres RIA en fonction de la dose. De plus, l'étude EPR des fibres optiques dopées P et chargées en O2 a montré une forte réduction des défauts P1 et P2 comparées aux fibres non traitées. Dans cette partie de la thèse, j’ai également présenté les résultats concernant la radioluminescence infrarouge (1272 nm) des molécules O2 dans la fibre optique. La faisabilité d'un capteur de radiation pour des environnements sous fortes doses et forts débits de dose a été discutée / In this Thesis work we have investigated the effect of ionizing irradiation (X and γ rays) up to 1 Grad on different types of multimode optical fibers (P-doped, P-Ce-doped , Ge-doped, Ge-F-doped, Ge-Ce-doped, and N-doped). The experiments were carried out by three main experimental techniques: online Radiation Induced Attenuation (RIA), Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Confocal Micro-Luminescence (CML). In the first part of the Thesis work we report on the radiation response of several types of optical fibers. The absorption due to radiation induced P-related defects was studied by RIA in the UV-Visible domain. Moreover, by EPR measurements we were able to detect POHC, P1 and P2 defects. In particular, for the detection of P1 and P2 defects we have validated the use of EPR second-harmonic detection mode which allowed us to obtain the growth kinetics of P1 and P2 with the dose. The effects due to the variation of the drawing conditions of the fibers were investigated as well as the ones due to the change of the temperature of irradiation (from 25 to 280 °C). Finally, concerning the P-doped OFs, we report on the effects due to the Cerium codoping of the core of the optical fiber. We observed a reduced generation of POHC and P2 centers under irradiation. However, EPR investigation has shown that the generation of P1 defects is essentially unaffected by the Ce-codoping. Regarding Ge-doped optical fibers we report on three basic typologies: Ge-doped, Ge-F-doped and Ge-Ce-doped. For each fiber typology we investigated three drawing conditions. The radiation responses of these fibers were characterized by RIA and EPR measurements. Furthermore, performing CML measurements we were able to obtain further insight on the role of the co-dopants and of the defect precursors in determining the radiation induced defects. We have also investigated the radiation response of N-doped OFs (three drawing conditions). The radiation responses in the UV-Visible domains were obtained by RIA, and by EPR measurements we were able to detect the signals of two N-related defects at high radiation doses. Finally, CML measurements on irradiated samples have shown three emission bands in the visible domain which are tentatively assigned to N-related centers. In the second part of the Thesis we report on the effects of an O2 loading treatment produces on some of the investigated samples. By micro-Raman measurements we demonstrate that a high pressure high temperature treatment can incorporate high quantity of O2 into Pure-Silica-Core (PSC), F, Ge and P doped optical fibers. The radiation responses of some of the O2-loaded optical fibers were investigated with particular regard to the fluorine doped and pure-silica-core optical fibers. On the basis of literature data we performed band decompositions of the RIA spectra as a function of the dose. Moreover, the EPR study of the O2 loaded P-doped optical fiber have shown a strong reduction of the signals associated to the P1 and P2 defects as compared to the untreated fibers. In this part of the thesis we also report on the characterization of the near infrared radioluminescence (1272 nm) of O2 molecules embedded in the optical fiber matrix and the feasibility of a radiation sensor based on this phenomenon for environments characterized by high radiation doses and high dose-rates

This study investigates the photoluminescence (PL), cathodoluminescence (CL), radioluminescence (RL) and ionoluminescence (IL) of natural and synthetic minerals. The natural minerals (fluorapatite, leucophanite, meliphanite and zircon) are mostly from Ilímaussaq Alkaline Complex in South Greenland, Langesundsfjord in Norway and from different localities within Scotland. Synthetic fluorapatite (manufactured as part of the present study) and zircon doped with rare earth elements (REE) were used to compare single and multidoped materials. This study has shown that many of the generally accepted applications of luminescence are not as straightforward as often suggested by the current literature. For example, the study demonstrates how site distribution of REE, based on luminescence, is greatly affected by the dopant level and structural changes, and that different conclusions can be drawn on the same sample depending on method applied. Furthermore, it is clearly demonstrated that using luminescence as a tool for quantitative trace element determination is not going to be a standard technique in the near future if ever. The two main findings supporting this conclusion are the non-linear intensity decrease between different REE activators in the same sample and a large variation between activators at the concentration at which self-quenching starts. In contrast to the general perception that luminescence related to REE is mostly independent of the host, this study has shown a strong interaction between host and REE activators. This conclusion is supported by the change in the activator’s coordination polyhedron observed with single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction combined with full chemical characterisation. When combining the weak interaction between some REE with the strong host interaction this study has shown the potential for designing new types of colour tuneable and “white light” LEDs based on natural minerals. This study also reveals that zircon doped with Gd³⁺ and Eu³⁺ can potentially have quantum-cutting properties.

The aim of this thesis is to present a simple model for the radiation to light conversion processes in fluorescent layers as an aid in future developments and applications. Optimisation between sensitivity and spatial resolution for fluorescent layers in digital radiology is a delicate task where the extrinsic efficiency for various phosphors needs to be established for varying parameters. The extrinsic efficiency of a fluorescent layer can be expressed as the ratio of the light energy per unit area at the screen surface to the incident xray energy fluence. Particle size is a critical factor in determining the value of the extrinsic efficiency, but in most models it is not treated as an independent variable. Based on the definition of a light extinction factor (ξ), a model is proposed such that, knowing the intrinsic efficiency η, the particle size and the thickness of a certain make of screen, the extrinsic efficiency can be calculated for an extended range of particle sizes and / or screen thicknesses. The light extinction factor ξ is an optical parameter determined from experimental data on extrinsic efficiency. The proposed model is compared to established methods. Further experiments have confirmed the validity of the model. Monte-Carlo simulations have been utilised to refine the calculations of energy imparted to the phosphor by taking into account the escape of scattered and K-radiation generated in the screen and interface effects at the surfaces. The luminance was measured for a set of in-house manufactured screens of varying thicknesses and particle sizes. Utilising the proposed model, the corresponding calculated values deviated ± 14 %.within the studied range.

Kompakte faseroptische Sonden bieten viel Potential bei der dosimetrischen Qualitätssicherung, speziell in der Protonentherapie. Neben der im Vergleich zu Ionisationskammern hohen Ortsauflösung erlaubt die Unempfindlichkeit gegenüber elektromagnetischen Wechselfeldern die Anwendung parallel zur Echtzeit-Bildgebung mittels Magnetresonanztomographie. Die untersuchte Sonde besteht aus einem kleinen Volumen des Luminophors Berylliumoxid, das über eine Glasfaser an Einzelphotonensensoren gekoppelt ist. Zur Korrektur der Dosisunterschätzung der BeO-Sonde, die bei hohem linearen Energietransfer auftritt, wird das restreichweitenabhängige Verhältnis zweier spektraler Anteile des Lumineszenzlichts betrachtet. Darüber hinaus erlaubt die hohe Zeitauflösung des Messsignals bei Abgleich der Photonenzählrate mit dem Bestrahlungsplan die Rekonstruktion des Strahlprofils. Dies ermöglichte neben der energie- und tiefenabhängigen Quantifizierung der Strahlbreite auch eine Analyse des erwähnten spektralen Verhältnisses innerhalb des Strahlprofils. Dazu wurden Messungen in einem Wasserphantom bei verschiedenen Tiefen und Protonenenergien durchgeführt. Als Referenz wurden Tiefendosiskurven mit einer Ionisationskammer aufgenommen, die auch mit einer einfachen Berechnung der dreidimensionalen Dosisverteilung auf Grundlage des Bestrahlungsplans verglichen wurden.

In Medizin und Technik besteht ein Bedarf an flexiblen, miniaturisierten Dosisleistungs-messgeräten mit hoher Ortsauflösung für den Einsatz in Strahlungsfeldern hoher Dosisleistung und Dosisleistungsgradienten. Lichtwellenleiterbasierte Dosisleistungsmess-systeme können diese Anforderungen erfüllen. Sie bestehen aus einem strahlungssensitiven Leuchtstoff, welcher über einen flexiblen Lichtleiter an einen Lichtdetektor gekoppelt ist. Die Eliminierung des dominierenden Störeinflusses, des bei Bestrahlung des Lichtleiters generierten Stem-Effekts, ist eine inhärente Herausforderung aller lichtwellenleiter¬basierten Dosisleistungsmesssysteme. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird ein solches System unter Verwendung der Lumineszenz der gewebeäquivalenten Detektormaterialien Berylliumoxid und Lithiumtetraborat realisiert. Der Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf der Untersuchung von Methoden der Stem-Eliminierung unter Nutzung der zeitlichen Charakteristik der Lumineszenzmaterialien sowie der zeitlichen Struktur des Strahlungsfeldes oder einer modulierten optischen Stimulation. Eine performante Ausleseelektronik auf FPGA-Basis ermöglicht Echtzeit-Messungen mit einer Abtastung von 10 ns. Verschiedene Auswertemethoden generieren aus den Rohdaten in Zeitstempelform eine stem-unabhängige, dosisleistungsproportionale Detektorantwort. / In medicine and technology there is a demand for flexible, miniaturized dose rate measurement systems with high spatial resolution for the application in radiation fields of high dose rates and dose rate gradients. Fiber optic coupled dosimeters can meet these requirements. They consist of a radiation sensitive luminescent material which is connected to a light detector with a flexible light guide. The elimination of the dominant perturbation, which is the stem effect generated by irradiation of the light guide, is one inherent challenge of all fiber optic dosimeters. In the present work such a system is realized, using the luminescence of the two tissue equivalent detector materials beryllium oxide and lithium tetraborate. The main focus is on the investigation of methods of stem elimination, exploiting the temporal characteristics of the luminescent materials, as well as the time structure of the irradiation or a modulated optical stimulation. For this purpose, capable FPGA-based read out electronics are employed, which enable real time measurements with 10 ns sampling. Different methods of analysis process the time stamp raw data and generate a stem-free, dose rate proportional detector response.

In Medizin und Technik besteht ein Bedarf an flexiblen, miniaturisierten Dosisleistungs-messgeräten mit hoher Ortsauflösung für den Einsatz in Strahlungsfeldern hoher Dosisleistung und Dosisleistungsgradienten. Lichtwellenleiterbasierte Dosisleistungsmess-systeme können diese Anforderungen erfüllen. Sie bestehen aus einem strahlungssensitiven Leuchtstoff, welcher über einen flexiblen Lichtleiter an einen Lichtdetektor gekoppelt ist. Die Eliminierung des dominierenden Störeinflusses, des bei Bestrahlung des Lichtleiters generierten Stem-Effekts, ist eine inhärente Herausforderung aller lichtwellenleiter¬basierten Dosisleistungsmesssysteme. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird ein solches System unter Verwendung der Lumineszenz der gewebeäquivalenten Detektormaterialien Berylliumoxid und Lithiumtetraborat realisiert. Der Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf der Untersuchung von Methoden der Stem-Eliminierung unter Nutzung der zeitlichen Charakteristik der Lumineszenzmaterialien sowie der zeitlichen Struktur des Strahlungsfeldes oder einer modulierten optischen Stimulation. Eine performante Ausleseelektronik auf FPGA-Basis ermöglicht Echtzeit-Messungen mit einer Abtastung von 10 ns. Verschiedene Auswertemethoden generieren aus den Rohdaten in Zeitstempelform eine stem-unabhängige, dosisleistungsproportionale Detektorantwort. / In medicine and technology there is a demand for flexible, miniaturized dose rate measurement systems with high spatial resolution for the application in radiation fields of high dose rates and dose rate gradients. Fiber optic coupled dosimeters can meet these requirements. They consist of a radiation sensitive luminescent material which is connected to a light detector with a flexible light guide. The elimination of the dominant perturbation, which is the stem effect generated by irradiation of the light guide, is one inherent challenge of all fiber optic dosimeters. In the present work such a system is realized, using the luminescence of the two tissue equivalent detector materials beryllium oxide and lithium tetraborate. The main focus is on the investigation of methods of stem elimination, exploiting the temporal characteristics of the luminescent materials, as well as the time structure of the irradiation or a modulated optical stimulation. For this purpose, capable FPGA-based read out electronics are employed, which enable real time measurements with 10 ns sampling. Different methods of analysis process the time stamp raw data and generate a stem-free, dose rate proportional detector response.