On the quasi-equilibrium problem in thermally stimulated luminescence and conductivity

Strong doubts havc been expressed about the validity of the quasi-equilibrium (QE) assumption used in the derivation of the analytical expressions of thermoluminescence (TL). So far there is no established method available to check if QE actually prevails during the emission of an experimental TL signal. The present study shows that the level of QE changes with a change in the heating rate beta. The change in the level of QE in its turn gets reflected in a change in peak shape when the system turns to a non-QE condition. This property is used as the first ever experimental method to test whether or not the emission of a given glow peak occurs under the QE condition. An essential condition for holding the QE condition is found to be T(R)/taum> or = 10(-3) where T(R) and taum are the glow peak recording duration and the maximum value of the free carrier lifetime, respectively. This relation between T(R) and taum is useful in finding the approximate value of taum. The value of taum being a function of the concentration and cross section of the TL related centres, one may be able to assess these basic parameters from the study of TL glow curves. The theoretical results are discussed in the perspective of LiF (TLD-100).