Dosimetric properties of europium-doped potassium bromide thermoluminescent crystals

The dosimetric thermoluminescent properties of potassium bromide crystals doped with europium have been investigated. Nominal concentrations of europium ions varied between 0.01% and 1%. The crystals were annealed prior to irradiation following different thermal treatments. We report the glow curve and dose-response characteristics to 60Co gamma rays. After a particular annealing, the crystals showed a strong thermoluminescent peak near 100 degrees C and a linear response for doses between 0.03 cGy and 10 cGy. The sensitivity is approximately 10 times that of lithium fluoride (TLD-100).