Detection of laser-plasma experiment radiation using nanoparticle coatings as fluorescent sensors

Abstract

In this paper, we test the possibility to use luminescence of metal (aluminum and silver) nanoparticles (NPs), synthesized using different laser-driven ablation methods, as sensors for radiation detection. Energetic photon and electron radiation produced by intense plasma induces a red-shift in the luminescence emitted by the NPs. Observing the phenomenon over long time periods (hours), we see an oscillating behavior of the luminescence signal, which can be explained in terms of de-trapping of electrons caused by energetic radiations and re-trapping in the empty levels of low energetic electrons emitted from the plasma. Observing the luminescence shift allows detecting electromagnetic and radiation pollution, e.g. when dispersed in an experimental chamber.