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Altering the energy dependence of LiF TLDs by pre‐irradiation
Author(s) -
Mayhugh M. R.,
Fullerton G. D.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.1637307
Subject(s) - dosimeter , thermoluminescent dosimeter , irradiation , thermoluminescence , materials science , annealing (glass) , dosimetry , radiation , radiochemistry , optics , chemistry , nuclear medicine , physics , nuclear physics , medicine , composite material
Energy dependences (thermoluminescent response to 30–130 keV eff x rays compared to that from 60 Co gammas) were measured for normal LiF dosimeters and for ones which had been sensitized by pre‐irradiation (10 3 –10 6 R) followed by annealing near 300°C. Unsensitized LiF (Harshaw's TLD‐100 and TLD‐700) responds slightly higher (5–10%) to the x rays than expected from changes in dose. When LiF is radiation sensitized, the relative response decreases in the 30–135 keV eff range as much as 40% for pre‐exposures ≳ 10 5 R. A commercial dosimeter (Radiation Detection Co. “throwaway powder”) displays this altered energy dependence because the LiF is pre‐exposed by the manufacturer. To emphasize the major point: Sensitization alters the energy dependence of LiF without any change in atomic number. Possible uses for this effect are discussed.