Thermoluminescence properties of potassium fluoride

Abstract

This study is designed to examine the thermoluminescence characteristics of potassium fluoride for possible use as a thermoluminescence dosemeter. Thermoluminescence measurements were carried out at doses up to 20 Gy and heating rates between 0.2 and 4 °C/s. The glow curve of the fluoride, readout at 1°Cs−1, exhibited two peaks at 130 and 250 °C. In addition, two shoulder peaks appeared at 70 and 200 °C. The kinetic parameters of the peaks were determined using glow curve deconvolution, peak shape and variable heating rate methods. The intensity of the 130 °C peak exhibited linearity at low doses and sublinearity at high doses. The dose response of the 250 °C peak is supralinear at low doses but becomes linear with further increase in dose. The intensity of 130 °C peak is affected by thermal quenching. Glow curve deconvolution indicated the presence of four peaks in the glow curve.