EFFECTS OF RADIATION-DAMAGE ON INFRARED AND THERMOLUMINESCENCE PROPERTIES OF NATURAL APATITES

Thermoluminescence (TL) and infra-red (IR) spectra from various natura l crystals of apatite have been examined. All naturally damaged sample s (the amount of damaged being monitored by their fossil fission track density) were found to exhibit a reduced contribution in the thermolu minescence glow intensity relative to that of undamaged one. Annealing the samples for 1 hour at temperature above 500-degrees-C resulted in an increase in TL sensitivity. The investigation shows strong evidenc e that radiation damage is responsible for the reduced TL sensitivity. High uranium content in apatite sample shows an increasing IR peak in tensity at 740 cm-1 with increasing annealing temperature.