Understanding EuD₄TEA and its Use as Impact or Radiation Sensors in Extreme Environments

If humans desire to leave the safety of Earth and explore extreme environments, cost effective and low mass health monitoring sensors will be essential to monitor impacts or incident ionizing radiation as they travel. To ensure the safety of the astronauts, a luminescent material-based sensor might be used to provide reliable in-situ impact detection or radiation monitoring for space vehicles. An extensive research program has been completed to date where many luminescent materials have been irradiated with protons and electrons. Results have generally shown that charged particle irradiation reduces the intensity of emitted luminescence by producing quenching centers. Related research has also shown that some of the same materials will emit copious light in the form of triboluminescence when crushed or struck. This paper investigates the effects of impacts or radiation on europium tetrakis dibenzoylmethide triethylammonium (EuD₄TEA). Special emphasis will be placed on our work to better understand the structure and composition of EuD₄TEA. This research can be used to help determine if luminescent materials can be used as an impact or radiation sensor in extreme environments like space.