Development of new optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) neutron dosimeters

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the possibility of using neutron converters incorporated into Al 2 O 3 : C dosimeters to produce new neutron-sensitive OSL dosimeters suitable for personal monitoring. A comparison between different neutron converters indicate that lithium-based compounds ( 6LiF and Li 2 6 CO 3 ) result in the best neutron sensitivity, probably because of the relatively large range of the 2.75 MeV triton produced by the Li 6 ( n , α ) H 3 neutron capture reaction. Based on these results, a new neutron-sensitive OSL composite material, identical to the one used in the Luxel™ and InLight™ dosimetry systems (Landauer Inc.) except for the smaller gamma sensitivity and enhanced neutron sensitivity, was produced and characterized. The gamma sensitivity of the new material is ∼ 35 % the sensitivity of the regular Al 2 O 3 : C material (Luxel™), due to reduced amount of Al 2 O 3 : C in its composition. The neutron sensitivity achieved in this new material is ∼ 60 % of the neutron sensitivity of 6LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-600).