SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 14 December 2018
STP160820170086

The Effects of Radiation Hardening on the Reusability of CaF2:Mn TLDs

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Manganese-doped calcium fluoride thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) are used for characterizing absorbed dose at many facilities around the world. Due to their relatively high cost, reusability of the TLDs is desired. However, due to radiation damage mechanisms within the TLDs, their accuracy diminishes as their total absorbed dose increases, which restricts reusability. After approximately 20,000 rads(Si) (200 Gy) the batch percent standard deviation increases by up to 4 %, making virgin TLDs significantly more accurate for precision radiation dosimetry. This study examines the effects of radiation hardening and thermal annealing procedures on reusability and batch uncertainty. The primary method will be irradiating virgin TLD chips to 100 to 100,000 Rad(Si) (1 to 1,000 Gy) and then comparing them with TLDs exposed to the same levels that had been previously irradiated to 100,000 rad(Si) (1,000 Gy). The intent is to reduce the amount of batch uncertainty introduced by high levels of radiation dose. The radiation hardening did not have a conclusive effect on reusability. However, the variation introduced at higher dose levels seemed to be less than previous work, so hardening and batch recalibration could be an option for repeated uses. Increased sensitivity at lower doses was also seen after hardening. This increase was also explored in more detail. More research will be needed to draw definitive conclusions.

Author Information

Daniel, Joshua, D.
White Sands Missile Range, Reactor Physics Branch, Nuclear Effects Division, SVAD, White Sands Missile Range, NM, US
Henneke, Dale
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Materials Engineering Dept., Socorro, NM, US
Vehar, David, W.
Sandia National Laboratories, Radiation Meteorology Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM, US
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Details
Developed by Committee: E10
Pages: 415–427
DOI: 10.1520/STP160820170086
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-7662-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-7661-4