Radioluminescence (RL) behaviour of Al2O3 : C-potential for dosimetric applications

The radioluminescence (RL) of carbon doped aluminium oxide (Al2O3:C) TL dos imeter material (TLD-500) was investigated using a Cs-137 conversion electr on source (which also emits beta and gamma) for simultaneous irradiation an d luminescence excitation. Furthermore, RL dosimetry characteristics of thi s material were studied. The main RL emission occurs at 420 nm. That matche s the known main TL and OSL emissions for this material as well as an emiss ion that was investigated in earlier RL studies, excited at higher energies (4 MeV electrons) and very high pulse delivered doses (approximate to 800 kGy.s(-1)). Furthermore, the saturation dose for the main peak is reached a t the dose level of approximate to 80 Gy as known from TL acid earlier RL i nvestigations. Other peaks at 700 and 790 nm and broad emission bands at ph oton energies higher than 3.00 eV and others between 2.00 and 2.50 eV were observed. The 700 nm emission shows growth also at higher dose levels, and saturates at an estimated dose of approximate to 800 Gy. The 790 nm emissio n reaches its maximum intensity at approximate to 10 Gy absorbed dose. The reported results give an outlook to the usability and the potential of Al2O 3:C combined with RL measurements for radiation dosimetry as well as for be ta source calibration, using radioluminescence. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.