Characterisation of OSL and OSLN droplets for dosimetry

Area of Science:

• Radiation detection and dosimetry
• Materials science for radiation detectors
• Nuclear instrumentation

Background:

• Accurate neutron dosimetry is crucial, yet current methods struggle with spectral independence.
• Carbon-doped aluminium oxide (Al2O3:C) is an effective optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosemeter for various radiation types but has low neutron sensitivity.
• Lithium fluoride (LiF) is a common thermoluminescent detector for neutron dosimetry, but Al2O3:C-OSL has limitations in neutron fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of small-size detectors made from Al2O3:C (OSL) and Al2O3:C+(6)Li2CO3 (OSLN).
• To evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of each detector type concerning size and response for neutron dosimetry.
• To assess the potential of Al2O3:C coated with (6)Li2CO3 for improved neutron dosimetry.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication and characterization of small-size (droplet) Al2O3:C OSL detectors.
• Fabrication and characterization of small-size (droplet) Al2O3:C+(6)Li2CO3 OSLN detectors.
• Comparative analysis of detector response based on size and material composition.

Main Results:

• Al2O3:C OSL detectors exhibit low sensitivity to neutron radiation.
• Al2O3:C+(6)Li2CO3 OSLN detectors demonstrate enhanced sensitivity, particularly to thermal neutrons.
• The study discusses the trade-offs between detector size and response for both OSL and OSLN materials.

Conclusions:

• Al2O3:C+(6)Li2CO3 (OSLN) offers a significant improvement for neutron dosimetry over standard Al2O3:C (OSL) due to its enhanced neutron sensitivity.
• The OSLN detector combines the high sensitivity of Al2O3:C with sensitivity to thermal neutrons, addressing a key limitation.
• Small-size detectors of both types were evaluated, highlighting size-dependent response characteristics relevant for specific dosimetry applications.