Abstract
Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD's) have largely replaced film badges as the preferred primary personnel monitoring device. However, no "perfect" TLD phosphor has been discovered due to the rigid constraints that must be met, such as energy independence, low fading rate, sensitivity, ability to measure neutron dose, etc. Because facilities can have several different radiation fields based on radiation type and energy, it can be a challenge to measure accurately the dose under all normal exposure scenarios. In addition, the medical field uses TLD's in a variety of circumstances where it would be advantageous to have a dosimeter type that can be used in different radiation fields with minimal adjustments to the analysis process. Thermoluminescent dosimeter elements based on a mixture of TLD phosphors in powder form have been investigated to determine the possible advantages that mixtures may offer. The mixture under study has been shown to be stable chemically, and experimental results indicate that photon energy independence has been achieved from 20 keV to 662 keV. Also, the beta radiation response per unit absorbed dose for the mixture was determined to be approximately 0.8 times the response per unit absorbed dose for 662 keV photons. In addition, the thermal neutron response of the mixture for a fluence of 3.6x10^10 n/cm^2 was measured to be approximately 600 times the response per rad for 662 keV photons.
Fulmer, Philip Clark (1993). Design and evaluation of thermoluminescent dosimeters based upon mixtures of TL material. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -1525992.