Date of Award

3-11-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Engineering Physics

First Advisor

Robert Hengehold, PhD.

Abstract

Lithium tetraborate (Li2B4O7) crystals are being developed for possible use in solid state neutron detectors. The 6Li(n,α)3H and 10B(n,α)7Li reactions are the basis for neutron detection, and a Li2B4O7 crystal enriched with Mn should show improved efficiency for neutron detection. There is a lack of fundamental characterization information regarding this useful material, particularly with regard to its electronic configuration. Photoemission spectroscopy was used to determine the energy level structure of the Mn doped Li2B4O7 crystals. Measurements were made using ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) using synchrotron radiation on two different beamlines. The first was the 3 m toroidal grating monochromator (TGM) beam line confirming the presence of Mn. Secondly, the normal incident monochromator (NIM) beamline studied the band gap states. Measurements were made at elevated sample temperatures to reduce charging effects. Photoemission studies provided evidence of Mn in the bulk crystal at 47.2 eV. Valence band analysis provided the presence of surface states but no acceptor sites. Cathodoluminescence studies were performed on undoped and Mn doped at beam energies from 5 to 10 KeV and at room temperature. Self trapped exciton emission states are evident in the undoped and Mn doped Li2B4O7 sample ranging in energies from 3.1 to 4.1 eV.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GNE-ENP-11-M05

DTIC Accession Number

ADA590997

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